Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

A visit to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is often near the top of a football fan’s bucket list due to the notoriety and history surrounding the Napoli fanbase.

Watching your team play against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona can be an intimidating experience, but it is one that you should jump at if given the opportunity.

The away section is located in the northeast corner between the Curva A and the Tribuna Posillipo. It spans both tiers of the stadium, making it narrow and making the section appear smaller than it actually is.

A typical away allocation at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is around 2,800.

The view of the pitch is much better from the lower section due to the running track that wraps around it. This can make those in the upper section of the away end feel disconnected from the action, and this is an issue all over the stadium.

The atmosphere is generally always good at the stadium, but the away section is at the opposite end of the stadium to Curva B, where Napoli’s largest ultra group is based. Some ultras are also based in Curva A, so it’s still a noisy affair near the away end.

The facilities inside the away end leave a lot to be desired. The toilets and concourse space are below the standard you now expect at a big European stadium.

Ticket sales fall short at Stadio Maradona

While not much has ensued since the last update on the stadium sale, after Mayor Gaetano Manfredi signalled openness to selling Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to Napoli for potential redevelopment, recent matchday activity has offered a glimpse of the venue’s ongoing relevance.

Reports indicate that around 50,000 fans attended the Partenopei’s Serie A game week eight high-profile encounter with Inter Milan, though a full sell-out was not achieved due to the high cost of remaining seats. Premium areas remained unsold, with Posillipo Premium at €215 (£187), Posillipo at €185 (£161), and Tribuna Nisida at €140 (£122).

October 2025: Mayor open to selling Stadio Maradona to Napoli

As Napoli continue to weigh in on their new stadium project, reports in Naples indicate that the city mayor, Gaetano Manfredi, is open to selling Stadio Diego Armando. He argues that such a decision would mirror that of Inter and AC Milan. The two Milan clubs recently bought San Siro for €170 million.

The mayor has also sought to clarify that Naples is ready to work with a private investor towards Stadio Maradona redevelopment, provided there is a concrete proposal.

When it emerged that Napoli is considering taking ownership of the Fuorigrotta stadium, a fierce debate ensued. Many have argued that redevelopment of the stadium should transcend sport to include investment in infrastructure, while also taking care of Fuorigrotta’s future.

Fuorigrotta is a suburb on the western side of Naples, with approximately 77,000 residents.

Napoli’s plan to redevelop the area is expected to create some upheavals. A meeting with members of the Special Economic Zone was recently postponed to allow time for extensive documentation and review of the project’s feasibility.

Areas of contention include the relocation of market vendors, a decision that could see at least 300 families affected.

July 2025: Napoli President sets ambitious timeline for new stadium

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has announced that the club will have a new stadium in three years, a statement that has surprised many. He emphasised that he must work within the constraints of the current failing system to accomplish this goal.

As previously reported, Napoli has been playing with a reduced capacity at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona due to the closure of the third tier for over 20 years, which has been attributed to vibrations.

He stated, “We will be competitive at the top level, but the problem for Napoli is that we are immersed in a failing system.” Laurentiis emphasised that the club must make tough decisions to protect the players’ well-being. He believes that certain individuals behind the scenes are undermining the club’s football operations, and if no action is taken, the situation will only deteriorate.

De Laurentiis has opposed the idea of restructuring the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, preferring instead to construct a new arena in a different area of the city. Recent reports suggest that Napoli has shifted its focus to a potential new stadium site in Caramanico, located on the western side of Naples, due to its proximity to a future metro station.

De Laurentiis’s latest announcement is likely to spark a conflict with local authorities, who are in favour of renovating the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, which is being considered as a potential venue for Euro 2032.

Fans break into the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Fears around the security levels at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona have been sparked after fans broke into the stadium after hours and drove around the running track on the perimeter of the pitch on mopeds.

A video shared on social media, which has now been deleted, showed the fans mocking the club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, while doing laps of the pitch.

June 2025: Napoli are considering demolishing the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

According to reports in Italy, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is seriously considering demolishing the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and building a new stadium due to ongoing issues around the third ring at the stadium.

Since 2019, the club have played with a reduced capacity due to the installation of glass fencing in place of metal fencing, causing vibrational issues. These issues have meant the third tier has been forced to close indefinitely due to safety fears.

With no sign of that changing anytime soon, De Laurentiis is said to be dreaming up a new stadium and has already had backing from the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi.

The Napoli fans are some of the loudest in Italy and on a visit to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, you will be lucky to get a moment to hear yourself think. Some of the most popular Napoli chants include:

• O Surdato, Nnammurato
• Un Giorno All’Improvviso
• Napoli, Napoli
• Forza Napoli Ale
• Oi Vita, Oi Vita Mia
• Napoli, lotta con noi

A compilation of some of the most famous Napoli chants can be found below

Napoli tifos are in most cases, giant choreographed displays by ultras. These tifos are some of the most striking displays in Italy, reflecting the city’s passion for football and culture.

The Curva A and Curva B at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona are famous for their creativity. With that, here are some notable thematic tifos that have been spotted at Napoli’s stadium.

Champions League Napoli tifos against Arsenal

Arsenal fans vs. Napoli fans tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/NJvuxQSkBU

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 7, 2017

The key at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is finding a seat that is least impacted by the running track that wraps around the pitch. As with all stadiums that have this feature, fans should aim to sit in either of the two stands that run along the side of the pitch so that the bend in the track is a non-issue.

At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, this means buying tickets in either the Tribuna Posillipo or Tribuna Distini. Anywhere close to the halfway line and around halfway up either stand will do nicely, meaning fans should look to target blocks TP8-10 in the Tribuna Posillipo and blocks D26-28 in the Tribuna Distini.

If you want to prioritise atmosphere over view, then you should try and get tickets in the Curva B, as this is where most of the Napoli stand. If you buy tickets in this part of the stadium, then don’t expect to sit down much, if at all.

Seating plan

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is around 13km west of Naples centre but away fans should still head to pubs and bars in the centre over the ones near the stadium for safety reasons. Three pubs in Naples centre that will be welcoming to away fans are:

• The Penny Black – Via Enrico Alvino, 134 B, 80129 Napoli NA, Italy
• Kitebeer – Vico Medina, 15, 80133 Napoli NA, Italy
• Murphy’s Law – Via Luca Giordano, 156, 80128 Napoli NA, Italy

Inside the stadium itself, there really isn’t much to shout about in terms of food, with none available on the concourses. You can buy beer and soft drink,s though, with kiosks opening before kick-off and at half-time.

Outside the stadium, there are plenty of street vendors offering fans the chance to purchase some classic Italian street food including pizza sandwiches and pasta omelettes in addition to some interesting twists on classic football food (see tweet below).

Chicken, chips and cheese baguettes at Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)

💶 €5 (£4.20) pic.twitter.com/m4bpFMytE6

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) March 20, 2022

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, strategically located in the Fuorigrotta district, enjoys excellent connectivity with all corners of the city. This area is serviced by Metro Line 2 and the Cumana line, along with a network of buses facilitating travel to and from the city centre.

For those using the metro, the key station is ‘Campi Flegrei,’ situated 750 metres from the stadium, which translates to a convenient 10-minute walk. Alternatively, the Cumana line offers the ‘Mostra-Stadio-Maradona’ stop, reducing the distance to 550 metres and a seven-minute walk.

If opting for the bus route, hop on the 151 ANM line and disembark at Piazzale Tecchio. This bus route connects to central areas such as the Central Station, Molo Beverello, or Piazza Vittoria, providing flexibility and accessibility for matchday travel.

The current capacity of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is 54,725 but when it first opened in 1959, it had a capacity of around 90,000 due to the large number of terraced areas.

Several renovations have taken place over the years, altering the stadium’s capacity, most notably in 1980 for the European Championships and in 1990 for the World Cup.

The most recent capacity shift came in 2019 when thousands of seats were replaced and glass barriers were introduced. This work resulted in a capacity drop from 60,240 to 54,725.

If you are spending a day or two in the local area before or after a match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, then you won’t be short of things to do, as Naples is a beautiful city well worth exploring. Some of the best things to do in Naples include:

Mostra d’Oltremare

Mostra d’Oltremare is only a 5-10 minute walk from Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. It is a large park complex located in the Fuorigrotta district. There is plenty to see and explore, including an aquarium, green spaces, gardens, and a water fountain.

Naples Zoo

Naples Zoo is very close to Fuorigrotta and is about 20 20-minute walk from Napoli stadium. The Zoological park features, among other things, a wide range of animals, walking paths and green spaces for relaxing. It is a pleasant location for those who want to take a break from city life and enjoy some outdoor activities.

Edenlandia

At Edenlandia, only about 20 20-minute walk from the stadium, there is an amusement park for some great outdoor thrills. It is a great spot for families, with a bit of historical artefacts to see.

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when it first opened

Stadio San Paolo, Napoli, in the 1960s.
A little something for @tpignata9 (thanks to @MotherSoccerNL):pic.twitter.com/7Bk9AYUaKM

— Thin White Line (@TweetWhiteLine) January 28, 2016

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at Euro 1980

Stadio San Paolo (1980s)#sscnapoli #italia 🇮🇹 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/6cQjd9Hfrn

— MotherSoccer (@MotherSoccerNL) August 20, 2021

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at Italia 90

31 years ago tonight. England 3 Cameroon 2. Attendance 55,205. Stadio San Paolo, Naples. We qualified for the Italia 90 World Cup Semi Final after extra time with goals from David Platt and Gary Lineker 2. In 1990 the fans sang ‘Let’s all have a disco.’ Great memories. pic.twitter.com/FyTD3Ldhg2

— Douglas Bagley (@dougbagleyfdl) July 1, 2021

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is the fourth largest stadium in Italy but it is far from the most modern so it isn’t always a top choice for music artists when it comes to concerts.

However, many Italian artists have played here in recent times, while occasionally, international stars put on a show too.

Coldplay

Coldplay brought their Music of the Spheres World Tour to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in 2023. The British band sold out the stadium two nights running and put on a show to remember for all of those in attendance.

Show #91, Naples, Italy#MusicOfTheSpheresWorldTour pic.twitter.com/Ea9eE0001o

— Coldplay (@coldplay) June 23, 2023

U2

U2 played for a sold-out Stadio Diego Armando Maradona back in 1993 as part of one of their many world tours. The stadium was still known as the Stadio San Paolo back then.

Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones proved that they were truly an international band in 1982 when they played to a sold-out crowd at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Mick Jagger showed the Naples crowd what a world-class frontman looked like two years before Diego Maradona signed for the club.

Napoli’s iconic Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has a rich history that spans over six decades, shaping its identity and significance in the world of football.

In 1959, the stadium made its debut in the Fuorigrotta district, chosen for its rapid urbanisation. Renowned architect Carlo Cocchia, known for his expertise in Fascist-era rationalism, designed the original structure as a single elliptical ring. The San Paolo Stadium, initially roofless and open to the elements, featured external reinforced concrete ribs—56 in total—accessible via wide ramps.

Originally named Stadio del Sole, symbolising Naples’ post-war rebirth, it was later renamed Stadio San Paolo in 1963. 

The 1980 European Championships prompted the first major redevelopment, including a new floodlighting system and a two-story building. Despite proposals for a third ring, construction only began during the 1990 World Cup, with added height closed due to stability concerns.

Remodelled for the 1980 European Championship and the 1990 World Cup, the stadium underwent continuous renovations, including restyling in 2010 and stadium-wide works in 2019 for the Summer Universiade. The capacity was slightly reduced with the addition of wider seats and large screens.

The stadium hosted matches during the 1990 FIFA World Cup and continued its legacy by hosting Italy’s Euro 2008 qualifier in 2006. 

Renovations for the 2019 Summer Universiade introduced modern features, including glass barriers and new seats, which further reduced the capacity.

In honour of the legendary Diego Maradona, whose impact on Napoli was transformative, the stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in 2020. Following Maradona’s passing, the proposal was unanimously approved by the City Council.

These renovations were tightly connected with the XXX Summer Universiade, which was held in Italy. By adding modern elements, the stadium’s capacity had to be reduced from a whopping 60,240 to a 54,726 all-seater. However, this takes nothing away from the stadium’s prestige, as you’ll find it difficult to buy a ticket for a Napoli home game, as fans see Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as a shrine to football.

The top dogs in the game are constantly developing their infrastructure, which is why we just might see further renovations be planned sooner rather than later.

The proposal to rename the stadium in honour of football icon Maradona came from city mayor Luigi de Magistris and Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis. The proposal itself, as previously mentioned, was approved by City Council on 4 December 2020, as mayor de Magistris himself announced the news on social media himself. This proved to be a popular decision, as Napoli fans were delighted by the news that their beloved club legend’s name will be from now on the official stadium name.

Maradona’s arrival in 1984 marked a pivotal moment. Through his extraordinary ability, vision, and charisma, he elevated Napoli to international acclaim.

Record attendance

90,736 (Napoli vs Juventus, 15 December 1974)

Average attendances

• 2023-2024: 46,977 (Serie A)
• 2022-2023: 46,311 (Serie A)
• 2021-2022: 28,982 (Serie A)

Just like other football leagues, local football rivalry in Serie A is defined by geographical proximity. With that, here are Napoli’s biggest local contests.

Napoli vs Salernitana rivalry

Salernitana is approximately 50 kilometres from Naples, which means they are the closest professional club to Napoli in the Campania region. The closeness has stirred rivalry between these teams for many years,  in a clash usually referred to as the Derby della Campania.

The rivalry between Napoli and Salernitana dates back to the mid-20th century. However, these teams have always played at different levels of Italian football, so meetings have become rare recently.

The most recent eight meetings were between November 2008 and January 2024. During this period, Napoli bagged seven wins, with the other ending in a draw.

Notably, the last six duels were Serie A matchups between October 2021 and January 2024, during which Napoli won five and shared the spoils on one occasion.

Preceding a three-season clash in 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24, Napoli and Salernitana met in Coppa Italia round of 16 during the 2008/9 season, fixtures that Napoli won.

Ticket prices are influenced by factors such as the opposing team, the competition, and Napoli’s current form.

Other notable regional rivals are Avellino and Juve Stabia.

SSC Napoli is committed to providing an inclusive experience for disabled fans, implementing a seat reservation procedure to ensure accessibility.

The process involves two stages. In the first stage, fans can request a unique booking code through an online form on www.sscnapoli.it. Documentation, including a disability certificate and proof of identity, must be attached to meet necessary requirements.

Upon completing the procedure, eligible fans gain access to specialised seating areas. 

For disabled wheelchair users, there are three tiers available for purchase:

Main Stand Lower Tier

• Capacity: 44 seats for disabled fans, 44 seats for carers
• Dedicated entrance: Gate 5
• Four dedicated toilets

Curva A Lower Tier

• Capacity: 28 seats for disabled fans, 28 seats for carers
• Dedicated entrance: Gate 23
• Two dedicated toilets

Curva B Lower Tier (reserved for disabled fans using a wheelchair)

• Capacity: 28 seats for disabled fans, 28 seats for carers
• Dedicated entrance: Gate 9
• Two dedicated toilets

For disabled fans not using a wheelchair, falling under the second category, ticket options are available for the Distinti Lower Tier.

Distinti Lower Tier (for disabled fans not using a wheelchair)

• Capacity: 120 seats for disabled fans, 120 seats for carers
• Dedicated entrances: Gate 19 and Gate 16
• Eight dedicated toilets.

Two convenient ways to acquire your tickets are online through the dedicated portal TicketOne or by visiting authorised ticket offices in person. The online sale on TicketOne opens approximately a week before each match, with priority given to those holding a Fidelity Card.

The stadium offers a range of seating options across its six sectors. The curves are the go-to section for those seeking a popular and budget-friendly choice. The Distinti section strikes a balance, providing a good view at a price between the curves and the premium Tribuna Posillipo and Tribuna Nisida. Families can opt for the dedicated Tribuna Family, offering a family-friendly atmosphere with a slightly restricted view.