The Bluenergy Stadium is a brilliant, modern exception in the landscape of often dated grounds scattered across the Peninsula.
Opened in 1976 as Stadio Friuli, the stadium held north of 40,000 and was a host venue at the 1990 World Cup, with Spain, Uruguay and South Korea each playing twice in Udine.
Udinese often punched above their weight in Serie A over the next two decades, but before too long the Friuli met the same fate of most of its counterparts across Italy.
A tightening of the city council’s budget, the stadium began a slow descent into disrepair, forcing the club to cut its capacity on safety grounds.
Eventually, between 2014 and 2016, the ground underwent a near-complete revamp, during which only the main stand with its iconic arc was preserved and the capacity reduced to just north of 25,000.
The East Stand and the two curvas, meanwhile, were demolished and rebuilt in a rectangular shape a lot closer to the pitch following the removal of the running track.
The redevelopment transformed the stadium, which is now known as Bluenergy Stadium for sponsorship reasons, into one of European football’s most modern arenas.
One of a handful of Serie A stadiums to be owned by the club rather than by the city council, the Bluenergy Stadium is a trailblazer in terms of sustainability in Italy and in 2023 Udinese ranked fourth in the world in the Brand Finance Football Sustainability Index.
Bluenergy Stadium factfile
• Capacity: 25,132
• Club: Udinese
• Opened: 1976 (fully renovated in 2016)
• Address: Piazzale Repubblica Argentina, 3, 33100 Udine
How to get to the Bluenergy Stadium
Perched on the outskirts of Udine, the Bluenergy Stadium isn’t the most accessible by foot, with supporters needing to set aside a good hour to make the 5.2km hike from the train station. However, public transport links are plentiful, with several bus routes providing a more manageable 20-minute trip.
From Udine main train station
There are three separate bus routes that will get you to the Bluenergy Stadium. The 9 bus from Viale Europa Unita 99 stop towards Circolare Destra takes in 12 stops before reaching Via Mainerio, from where it is a 10-minute walk to the stadium.
The number 2 bus also picks up from Viale Europa Unita 99 stop and heads towards Feletto/Circolare Destra. After 19 stops you’ll arrive at Piazza Rizzi, again a 10-minute walk away from the ground.
The third option from Viale Europa Unita 99 is the 5 bus towards Passons/Piazza della Chiesa. It will drop you at Via Martignacco, 13 stops, with the stadium a 15-minute walk from there.
From Udine’s Old Town
Udine’s old town is also served by the 9 bus and 2 bus from Piazza 1 Maggio, just a few stops before the station. There is also the option of the 10 bus from Piazza 1 Maggio stop towards Circolare Destra. That journey is 25 stops to Via Val Saisera, followed by a 15-minute walk.
How to buy public transport tickets
A single ticket valid for 60 minutes costs €1.45, while a single ticket valid for 75 minutes costs €1.80 and a daily ticket costs €3.25. All tickets must be validated from the time of first use.
Public transport tickets in Udine are available at TPL FVG ticket offices and authorised outlets. You can find a list here.
Tickets can also be bought through the TPL FVG or the Drop Ticket apps, both of which can be downloaded from Apple Store and Google Play.
How to drive to the Bluenergy Stadium
The ground is approximately a 15-minute cab journey from Udine’s main train station and around a 35-minute drive from Trieste’s airport, the closest international airport to Udine.
If you’re driving from Venice or Trieste on the A23 motorway, take the Udine Sud exit and follow the ringroad westbound towards Tarvisio, then take the Stadio Friuli exit.
If you’re driving from Tarvisio, take the Udine Nord exit and follow the ringroad westbound towards Pordenone, before taking the Citta’ Fiera – Stadio exit.
Those coming from Milan on the A4 motorway, should also take the Udine Sud exit and follow the ringroad westbound towards Tarvisio, then take the Stadio Friuli exit
Alternatively, if you’re driving from Udine, follow the “stadium” signs towards Spilimbergo.
How to buy Udinese tickets
Tickets can be bought online via TicketOne or in person at the Udinese Store at the stadium, at the club store in Via Portanuova in the city centre, or at one of the Udinese Point outlets.
