Gewiss Stadium

The Exterior

Your first impression of the Atalanta ground will vary wildly depending on the stand you arrive at, with the stadium encompassing a huge variety of features; the stands range from classic architecture all the way through to what is almost a futuristic appearance. Somehow, though, it works to create a beautiful stadium that is truly one of a kind. The most modern-come-futuristic stand is the North Stand; it is the most dominant of the four stands with its bold two-tone sections of silvery blue colouring, powerful shape and ultimately sheer size.

Opposite, you have an open roof bowl-style stand with two more traditional stands running down the length of the pitch; the East Stand is the place to be if you want to be transported back to the Atalanta stadium of old; the architecture of the exterior is on point for the 1928 build and in keeping with the traditional design of Bergamo. Depending on your views on maintaining that history, you might be disappointed to learn that all four stands will soon take on a new, modern look as a staged redevelopment is underway.

The Interior

You won’t be disappointed when you sit inside what was known as Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia before the sponsorship deal that saw ‘Gewiss’ emblazoned around the ground. If you’re seated in the most recently redeveloped North Stand, you’ll be treated to the green hills and orange buildings that peer over the top of the arched bowl stand. The view isn’t bad from that side either; there is plenty of bushy greenery behind the sharply inclined North Stand, whilst the stands on either side are two-tiered with blue and white seats arranged to remind you that this is Atalanta’s home.

Aside from the football itself, the pre-game knees-up is one of the best – if not the best – parts of an away day. When visiting Atalanta stadium, you’ll soon have a huge choice of where to get your gut filled and your beak wetted.

Part of the stadium renovation is the addition of numerous commercial units. These will be offered to both food retailers and general retail stores, with 10 plus food units likely to be taken up. That’s a pretty decent choice, given that these options will be in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. Of course, with the development currently ongoing, we are not sure who will be taking up the said units.

We do, however, already know there will be a few food offerings at the ground. Burger King is your main choice for food on the go, while America Graffiti serves up its take on American cuisine. NIMA Sushi is also highly thought of and available at the ground.

There is a choice further afield too; Bar Bettineschi Bocciodromo, Fuirigioco and Il Baretto are all a literal stone’s throw from the Atalanta ground. If sweet is your thing then gelato at Mandorlacchio on Viale Giulio Cesare might be for you.

Forget eateries, forget bars. Forget everything we’ve just written about. The stadium might be situated in a beautiful city with a surrounding area steeped in history, but there is only one thing the away fans will take away from Stadio di Bergamo: the atmosphere is absolutely electric—some would say second to none.

With Atalanta hosting multiple matches against British sides in the Champions League during the tournament league phase in the 2024/25 campaign, check out our guide to the Atalanta away section here.

The first point to note regarding Stadio di Bergamo is that there is some dedicated parking immediately outside the ground, with more to come once the stadium redevelopment is completed. This means that driving to the stadium is an option. For most, you’ll be accessing via highway A4, using the exit signposted ‘Bergamo,’ and heading towards Valli di Bergamo.

There is one key thing to note, though: if you’re driving to the stadium, you’ll need to arrive early because as kickoff approaches, the route around the stadium is only accessible to recognised public transport. When it comes to public transport, the main option for you is the bus. ATB line number 9 takes you directly into the stadium and has links with the nearby train station and the airport if you’re visiting from overseas.

1. Now, if you’re reading this then there is a good chance that you’re not a regular visitor of Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’italia. The thing is, even if you’re in Bergamo for the football there is a good chance you’ll want to take more in than simply the Atalanta stadium.

You’ll be pleased to know there are a few options. Your best option for a compromise between budget, stay and stadium proximity is probably Residenza del Borgo; it’s just a 500m walk to the ground and costs around £75 a night.

If, however, you’re after a budget stay then the £50 per night Bergamo in City is an excellent option. Smart House provides another mid-range option at the £75 mark but is slightly further away at 1 mile.

If you’re looking for a 5-star experience, you’ll have to be content with staying away from the stadium. The nearest is 17 miles away; that’s Bianca Relais, which costs north of £200 per night. It is splendid with mountain and lake views, but the only way it is convenient is because you can easily link onto the public transport network.

We’ve already spoken about the modern-looking North Stand at Gewiss Stadium, but it’s not always been that way. The other stands at the ground are proof of that. At least they are right now; this will change over the next year or so with plans in place to revamp the entire stadium. Rewind back to 1928 and the stadium was opened as the Mario Brumana Stadium. Just two stands were present – the west and east stands – and they are both still in place today, with an athletics track running around the pitch.

Unlike the stands, the running track has been removed, a decision taken somewhat ironically as the stadium was renamed Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. As the millennium came and went, questions started to be raised over how the stadium measured up against the other grounds in Serie A. Since then, renovation has been on the agenda, with various tweaks made over the years.

Atalanta’s most fierce rivals are Brescia, in a game often referred to as the Lombard Derby.

The two clubs’ home stadiums are located just 33.5 miles apart, a key reason for the intense rivalry between their fanbases.

It is a derby that has been prevalent in Italian football since what feels like the dawn of time, but in recent times, the two sides have often played their football in different divisions.

However, following their promotion from Serie B at the end of the 2023/24 season, both clubs are now in the top flight, which has reignited the passionate divide among the supporters.

Atalanta’s Gewiss Stadium has undergone major renovations in the past five years starting in the summer of 2019 and reaching completion ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Prior to this work, the ground had become outdated and failed to impress visiting fans during massive nights of European football. That is a distant memory now though.

Some of the key renovations recently completed are:

• Reconstruction of the Curva Sud Morosini and the Distinti Sud
• Redevelopment of the Pisani and Rinascimento stands
• A brand-new cultural square outside the ground
• Major development of housing and other urban facilities in the surrounding area

With such major renovations only recently being finished, it is unlikely that the Gewiss Stadium will see any major redevelopment again in the near futute.