Modena Stadium Guide: Stadio Alberto Braglia

Opened in 1936, the Stadio Alberto Braglia in Modena is an oldie but a goldie and can turn into a cauldron of colour when the Gialloblu are on it.

With hardly any changes made during the its first six decades, the turn of the century brought about a complete revamp over the course of the next seven years to increase the capacity from 17,000 in 2000 to just over 21,000 by 2007.

The result is a stadium modern enough to host Italy’s national team and one where the view from the stands, unlike in many of its counterparts on the Peninsula, doesn’t include a running track.

Significantly, the Braglia is also close to Modena’s old town, one of Italy’s hidden gems.

Here is all you need to know.

What Makes It Special?

Its location. You’ll struggle to find a ground in Italy that is more accessible than the Braglia, which sits almost exactly halfway between Modena’s old town and the city’s main train station.

A walk to the ground from the historic cathedral takes no more than 15 minutes, most of which is spent on cobbled streets and then a park, while the station is a 10-minute stroll away from the ground.

The Braglia boasts a spectacular set of floodlights that look to have come straight out of a Subbuteo set. What’s not to like?

How To Get There

The Braglia is easily accessible via a stroll through the Parco Novi Sad that sits at the southern edge of the ground.

A walk from the centro storico is a nice way to pass the time or a 10-minute bus ride on route 7 or 13 also takes you there. The stadium is also a 10-minute walk from the city’s central station, which is connected to the Braglia by bus routes 1, 4, 7, 9 and 13.

Map

Neighbourhood Tips

For a pre-match pint, look no further than Bar Stadio. Located right next door to the Braglia, it has a proper matchday feel, with ultras and fans milling about and staff pouring pints on the street at the front of the bar.

If you want something slightly more refined, head to Birralandia in the old town where, if you are lucky, you can get a table in the sunshine. La Smorfia is a 10-minute walk from the ground and specialises in pizza, nothing fancy but at very reasonable prices. It’s perfect for big groups and you will often find Modena fans grabbing a bite before or after the game.

Need To Know

Modena ultras take the Curva Sud, which is named after former Canaries president Gigi Montagnani.

The Braglia is one of the few stadiums in Italy that can claim to have hosted three different clubs. Aside from Modena, it served as Sassuolo’s home during their spell in the second tier between 2008 and 2013 and as Carpi’s ground during their sojourn in Serie A in the 2015-16 season.

The stadium is named after Alberto Braglia, a Modena-born gymnast who won three Olympic gold medals – one in London in 1908 and two in Stockholm four years later.

Tickets

Tickets for Modena matches can be purchased on the club’s official website, at the store in Via Del Taglio 22 or through VivaTicket. The ticket collection booths are at just outside the Curva Sud, the stand that backs onto the park.