Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
SSC Napoli (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona)

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

See 0 reviews

Submit a review

Capacity: 54,726
Club Nickname: Gli Azzurri (The Blues) I Partenopei (The Parthenopeans) I Ciucciarelli (The Little Donkeys)
Year Opened: 1959
Pitch Size: 110m x 68m
Address: Via Giambattista Marino, 80125 Napoli NA, Italy
Phone: +39 081 509 5344
Pitch Type: Natural grass
StadiumTours: No
Undersoil Heating: No
Home Kit: Blue
Away Kit: White
Third Kit: Black
Last Update: February 24, 2025

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.

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:

  • Un giorno all’improvviso
  • Ho visto Maradona
  • Figli del Vesuvio
  • Saro con te
  • Conquista la vittoria

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

Perhaps surprisingly, tifos aren’t often part of the make-up at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Other clubs in Italy, most notably the two Milan clubs, make a point of creating stunning displays before certain matches, but Napoli fans don’t engage nearly half as much. 

Below are a few examples of some of the tifos seen at the stadium over the years. 

Napoli tifo against Real Madrid

Standard Napoli tifo used on Champions League nights

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

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona seating plan
Photo by Fan Seats

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 drinks 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).

Honestly, in terms of taste and value for money, you will do better to find anywhere that provides anything that trumps what’s on offer from the street vendors outside the stadium but if you are after a sit-down meal, then there are plenty in the centre of Naples that are worth considering. Three options are:

  • La Locanda Gesu Vecchio – Via Giovanni Paladino, 26, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy
  • L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – Via Cesare Sersale, 1, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy
  • Trattoria Castel Nuovo – Piazza Francese, 42, 80133 Napoli NA, Italy

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 utilising the metro, the key station is ‘Campi Flegrei,’ situated 750 metres from the stadium, translating 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 that have altered the capacity of the stadium, 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 saw the 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:

  • Take a walk through ‘Spaccanapoli’.
  • Visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum.
  • Go underground at the Catacombe di San Gennaro.
  • Visit the Castel dell’Ovo.
  • Eat pizza in the city where it was birthed.

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when it first opened

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at Euro 1980

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at Italia 90

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.

U2

U2 played for a sold-out Stadio Diego Armando Maradona back in 1993 as part of one of their man 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 brought modern changes like glass barriers and new seats, further reducing 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.

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)

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.

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

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.

Reviews