Sudtirol’s Stadio Druso is one of Serie B’s oldest and most picturesque grounds, nestled at the bottom of the Alps.

Built in 1936, the ground takes its name from ancient Rome military commander Drusus the Elder, the man responsible for building the first bridge over the Isarco River close to present-day Bolzano.

The ground was used as a prisoners camp during World War Two and hardly any structural changes were made after the conflict ended.

The Druso’s slow but steady deterioration – typical of several grounds across Italy – culminated with the closure of the main stand in the 1990s due to safety concerns.

The ground was revamped in 2000 when Sudtirol’s promotion to Serie C2 – then the fourth tier of Italian football – saw them move from Bressanone to Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol.

Sudtirol and FC Bolzano 1996 shared the Druso until the latter merged with Virtus Don Bosco in 2015 to create Virtus Bolzano, who ply their trade in Serie D, the top tier of non-professional football in Italy.

With Sudtirol now the sole tenants, the Druso underwent a major overhaul between 2019 and 2021, which saw the pitch slightly moved from its original position, while the main stand was completely rebuilt to increase capacity to just over 5,000.

Stadio Druso factfile

• Capacity: 5,520
• Club: Sudtirol
• Opened: 1936 (last renovated in 2022)
• Address: Viale Trieste, 19, 39100 Bolzano

How to get to the Stadio Druso 

The Druso is a 15-minute walk from the main train station and a 20-minute walk away from Piazza Walther in the old town.

From Bolzano train station

• 6BZ/9 Bus from Stazione Bolzano stop towards Via Lancia – Two stops to Bolzano Eurac stop, followed by a five-minute walk.
• 3BZ Bus from Perathonerstrasse stop towards Casanova – Nine stops to Florenztsrasse stop, followed by a two-minute walk.

From Piazza Walther

• 3BZ Bus from Piazza Walther stop towards Casanova – Eight stops to Florenztsrasse stop, followed by a five-minute walk.
• 110/111 Bus from Piazza Walther stop towards Bronzolo – Eight stops to Florenztsrasse stop, followed by a five-minute walk

How to drive to the Stadio Druso

The Druso is a five-minute cab ride from Bolzano’s main train station and Piazza Walther, the old town’s main square.

There are three car parks available to those driving to the stadium. Parking Portici in Piazza della Stazione, Parcheggio Piazza Walther in Piazza Walther and Parcheggio Bolzano Centro in Via Mayr Nusser. All three are approximately a 10-minute walk away from the ground.

If driving to the stadium from the south on the A22 motorway – Take the Bolzano sud exit, then follow the signs towards Bolzano Centro and the car park you have selected.

If driving to the stadium from the north on the A22 motorway – Take the Bolzano nord exit, then follow the signs towards Bolzano Centro and the car park you have selected.

How to buy public transport tickets

Tickets in Bolzano are available at AltoAdigeMobilita ticket offices and authorised selling points throughout Bolzano and Merano.

Tickets are also available at automatic machines across the region and from bus drivers on board. However, if you are planning to buy a ticket on board, make sure to have the correct change.

Tickets are not available on board on routes 1, 3, 4, 5 e 6 in Merano and on routes 210, 212, 213, 217 e 221.

A single ticket costs €1.50, while a daily ticket comes in at €4.

How to buy Sudtirol tickets

Tickets can be bought online via VivaTicket.it or in person at authorised VivaTicket sales points and at the ground.