Catanzaro Stadium Guide: Stadio Nicola Ceravolo

The Stadio Nicola Ceravolo is one of the oldest arenas in Italy still in use.

Constructed in 1919 on the slopes of Mount Spezzano, the land were the Ceravolo would eventually reside was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War I. In the years that followed it became the training ground for the Italian army. 

It wasn’t until 1924, amid the growing popularity of football, that the area turned into what is now a stadium. Yet throughout the rest of the 1920s the area was still used for military purposes and was termed the Military Stadium.

The ground underwent changes in 1971 after Catanzaro won promotion to Serie A for the first time. Through the influence of then-coach Gianni Di Marzio, the municipality agreed to expand the capacity of the ground to near 30,000 seats, despite the stadium not being totally in compliance with the laws of the age.

Over the years capacity has been reduced amid Catanzaro’s fluctuating fortunes, something which is all too common in Italy.

In 1989 the stadium was renamed, after Nicola Ceravolo who was the club’s president for more than 20 years and is regarded as one of the finest in the history of the Italian game.

There were plans in the early 2000s to move but they were shelved when Catanzaro went bankrupt and the stadium holds just over 14,000 seats in its current form.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Makes It Special?

It’s age. The Stadio Nicola Ceravolo is the third-oldest still in use after the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa and the Pier Luigi Penzo in Venice. It looks and feels every one of its years but this is all part of the charm.

How To Get There

The Ceravolo is about a half-hour walk from Catanzaro’s old town in the centre of the city. Or you can get bus No 8 from Piazza Matteotti towards the stadium, which takes around 20 minutes.

Map

Neighbourhood Tips

If you’d like a cheeky beer or a coffee before the game, head for Caffe Delle Stadio 92, a few minutes walk from the ground.

Need To Know

Catanzaro’s ultras sit in the Curva Ovest – named the Massimo Capraro in memory of a young ultra who passed away – while away fans are seated in the Curva Est. Catanzaro fans are known to be a rowdy bunch, so if you’d like something a little more tranquil, opt for the Tribuna stands, of which there are three sections.

Tickets

Tickets for Catanzaro games are available through the club’s authorised seller – TicketOne. Tickets can also be bought at the ground, but only at certain times in the days leading up to games. To avoid disappointment buy online.