Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the joint-home of Genoa C.F.C. and U.C. Sampdoria and has been open since 1911. It is nicknamed the Marassi by Italian fans.

The stadium underwent various upgrades and redevelopments from 1987 to 1989, as well as in 2015 and 2018. All four stands were developed in the late 1980s to ensure that the ground was ready to host 1990 World Cup matches. This included covering the majority of seats to provide shelter from adverse weather conditions, apart from the 15 lowest rows of seating.

The venue has also been selected as one of the proposed venues for UEFA Euro 2032, which Italy will joint-host with Turkey. Five stadiums from each country will be chosen and announced in 2026.

Stadio Luigi Ferraris is dedicated to the former Genoa midfielder, Luigi Ferraris, who died fighting as a soldier during World War One.

With a capacity of 33,205, Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the 11^th biggest stadium in Italy. Since it opened in 1911, the capacity has fluctuated from 20,000 at the beginning to 60,000 at one point. With Serie A and B’s increased security regulations, the stadium can hold just over 33,000 spectators for Genoa and Sampdoria home matches.

Stadio Luigi Ferraris held four matches in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, including two Sweden and Scotland group stage matches. Three of the four matches were Group C games. The first saw Costa Rica beat Scotland 1-0, and the other two matches saw Sweden lose 2-1 to Scotland and Costa Rica.

The final match that Stadio Luigi Ferraris hosted in this World Cup was the Round of 16 match between the Republic of Ireland and Romania. Daniel Timofte missed the deciding penalty for Romania, sending the Republic of Ireland to their first World Cup quarter-final.

As of today, stadium tours at Stadio Luigi Ferraris do not exist due to the stadium’s old-fashioned infrastructure, as well as a lack of recognition of the commercial aspects of modern football.

The best way to take in the stadium is to go to either a Genoa or Sampdoria home match.

Matchday tickets can be purchased at the Marassi stadium or online on VivaTicket and on the Sampdoria website.

There are two stands behind the goals named Gradinata Nord and Sud, as well as the two main stands opposite each other called Tribuna Est and Tribuna Ovest.

Tickets in the four stands vary, with the average ticket costing €15.00 in the end stands and €60.00 in the main stands. It is worth noting that tickets bought at the stadium on matchday cost an additional €5.00.

You can find this information and purchase tickets here at Sampdoria’s club website.

Located in the north of Genoa in the Marassi area, Stadio Luigi Ferraris is less than 2 kilometres away from the Genoa city centre.

If you plan to go to the stadium by car, fans are advised to approach the stadium from the south to avoid the hill in between the Genoa city centre and the Marassi.

In terms of parking, you should not park in the Marassi neighbourhood as it is restricted to residential parking (ZSL) only, and without a permit, you will pick up a ticket if staying longer than a few hours.

Both Genoa and Sampdoria websites advise that supporters should park near the Brignole Metro station.

Fans who decide to use public transport can reach the stadium from the main railway station (Genova Principe) which is 3.5 kilometres from the Marassi Stadium. Walking from the station to the stadium is not advised due to the steep hill up to the ground.

A train to the adjacent stop at Genova Brignole station is the best option, leaving a 20-minute walk to the stadium. You can also take the metro to Brignole Metro station if the trains are not running frequently.

Buses 12 and 13 from San Giorgio Metro station towards Prato stop at Bobbio5/Stadio. Bus 14 from Metro De Ferrari in the same direction also stops at the same destination.

There are matchday services from Caricamento (CM), Piazzale Kennedy (KM and 47), and Principe train station (SM).

Away fans are located in the upper section of the Tribuna Ovest. This is designed to keep the away supporters away from the Sampdoria Ultras based in the Gradinata Sud.

Seats located further back in the away section offer better views for supporters, as the lower section has partially restricted views of the pitch.

Within walking distance of the ground are some Chinese restaurants, as well as Italian restaurants for fans looking to sample some local delicacies. Options include O Sole Mio, Pizzeria Da Carlo, and Al Rustichetto.

O Sole Mio is a popular destination, with pizzas costing in the range of €6 to €11.50. Edilio is another good option for fans, serving high-quality fish as its specialty.

In terms of bars, the Bar Pressing and the Centrocampo are good options ON either side of the river near the stadium. Villa Piantelli (No. 8) is perhaps the best option for first-timers. The bar is located in a courtyard within a multi-purpose cultural centre, with historic photographs of the Genoa city centre as well as football memorabilia.

Although there are no hotels in close proximity to the stadium, there are a lot of good options in the Brignole area.

This includes Hotel Brignole, Hotel Ricci, and Hotel Nologo, which are affordable options for fans.

More expensive options located near the centre of Genoa include the Starhotels Presiden and the Golden Tulip Hotel Moderno Verdi.

Sampdoria’s main rivals are Genoa, with whom they groundshare Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The first meeting of the Derby della Lanterna took place on November 3, 1946, which saw Sampdoria run out 3-0 winners.

These games always involve stunning displays from both sets of fans, and for this reason tickets are always in high demand.

Overall, they have played 107 matches against each other, with Sampdoria winning 42, Genoa winning 26. The most recent match took place on April 30, 2022, when Sampdoria narrowly beat Genoa 1-0.

Genoa’s promotion to Serie A and Sampdoria’s relegation to Serie B in the 2022/23 season mean that they will not play each other in the league this season.

There are 36 spaces for wheelchair users in the home and away ends of Stadio Luigi Ferraris. In other areas, there are also 100 seats for blind and partially sighted fans.

Accessible concessions, toilets, and parking are available at the stadium.

Read more about disability access and facilities here.

Sampdoria fixture list