Last Update:
June 25, 2026
When the stadium is fully operational, away supporters are usually housed in the south-east section of the stadium, in both the lower and upper tiers. This part of the ground has screens on either side to make sure the travelling supporters are segregated from the home fans.
Being near the corner flag means the section appears closer to the pitch than other areas of the ground, with those in the upper tier likely to enjoy better views of the game.
Stadio Via del Mare undergoing renovation
Back in 2024, Lecce announced plans to revamp the Stadio Via del Mare as part of an effort to turn it into a suitable host venue for the 2026 Mediterranean Games. As part of the development, a roof would be put on the stadium to make sure all of the seating is covered.
Lecce targeting Euro 2032 dream
In June 2026, reports emerged that Lecce is stepping up its efforts to put forward the Stadio Via del Mare as a host venue for Euro 2032, which is set to be held in Italy.
Lecce hopes that the improvements made to the stadium will make them a strong contender to win support when the final decision is made in October.
Pope John Paul II
It may have been a matchday, but arguably, Pope John Paul II remains the most famous person to visit the Stadio Via del Mare. The Pontiff delivered a speech as part of a pastoral visit to the city in September 1994.
Composed by Gioy Rielli, Lecce’s official anthem is ‘Giallorossi per Sempre’, simply translating to Yellow and Reds forever.
A number of other chants heard from the Lecce faithful are listed below:
- Lecce Ale Ale
- Ale Giallorossi
- All’attacco Lecce
- Lecce nel cuore
- La La Forza Lecce
Curva Nord
The North end of the ground houses Lecce’s ultra group. This area of the stadium is usually full of flags, banners and a display of red and yellow. Unsurprisingly, as the most passionate section of the stadium, this is where the majority of the noise is generated on matchdays.
Curva Sud
While the best atmosphere may be at the north end, there is still plenty of fun to be had in the south stand, the location of another dedicated supporters group, Gioventu Lecce.
Tribuna Ovest
Like all areas of the bowl-shaped ground, the Tribuna is separated into two tiers, inferiore and superiore. The upper tier features Lecce’s VIP section.
What other areas are there in the Stadio Via del Mare?
- Tribuna Est
- Parterre Tribuna Est (Reserved for disabled supporters)
- Distinti Nord/Ovest
- Distinti Sud/Ovest
- Distinti Nord/Est
- Distinti Sud/Est (Settore Ospiti)
Rubens Brasserie Pub (Via Giacomo Matteotti, 36, 73100)
Rubens Brasserie is an Irish-style pyub that offers a varied beer menue and is a great sport for visitors looking to enjoy a drop of Guinness before or after the game.
Quanto Basta (Via Marco Basseo, 38, 73100)
If you are looking for a cocktail bar in Lecce, then Quanto Basta is the place to go. Located in the city centre, the bar offers an extensive cocktail menu to enjoy.
AlVentuno (Via Giacomo Matteotti, 21a, 73100)
AlVentuno is a great place to visit at any time of day. The establishment starts the day as a coffee shop before turning into a cocktail bar by night. Visitors can also enjoy food throughout the day, making it a convenient stop-off for those nearby.
Bar de Mo (Via Lucca, 73100)
The majority of the best bars are in the centre of Lecce, but Bar de Mo is a good bet for those looking to grab a drink closer to the ground.
Fans can purchase food and drink at the refreshment points around the stadium.
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The stadium is located just over 3km from the city centre.
By Car
The Stadio Via del Mare sits just inside Lecce’s ring road. Those travelling by car can take exit 7a before following the signposts to the stadium.
By train
The stadium is located around 5km from the city’s railway station, making it a one-hour walk to the ground. Fortunately, SGM run a shuttle bus from the station on matchdays. The route of the number 16 bus also goes from the station to the stadium.
On foot
For those travelling from the city centre by foot, it is worth noting that it will take around 45 minutes to an hour to reach the stadium.
Address: Via del Mare, 731000
The stadium offers parking and reserved spots for disabled supporters. Wheelchair users are situated in the East Stand, while there are more designated disabled spaces in the lower East Stand section. There are also accessible entrances, ramps, and restrooms.
Lecce usually announces ticket prices on a match-by-match basis.
As a guideline, below is a list of prices for the club’s final game of the 2025-26 season:
Full price
Tribuna Centrale Superiore: €55
Tribuna Centrale Inferiore: €35
Tribuna Est: €25
Curve/Distinti: €19
Ospiti: €19
Under 14s:
Tribuna Centrale Superiore: €23
Tribuna Centrale Inferiore: €16
Tribuna Est: €13
Curve/Distinti: €9
Ospiti: €9
The stadium is currently working with a capacity of 30,534.
Lecce are not offering official tours of the stadium at this point in time.
Lecce is known as the Florence of the South, so it definitely has more than enough to occupy fans on matchday.
Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral
Head to Piazza del Duomo to take in the sights of a picturesque square that features Baroque buildings. Visitors will be able to see the Cathedral, the bishop’s palace and the seminary.
Piazza Sant’Oronzo
Piazza del Duomo is not Lecce’s main square because that honour belongs to Piazza Sant’Oronzo. Here, tourists will see the column of Sant’Oronzo and the Roman Amphitheatre that is embedded in the square.
Basilica of Sante Croce
This Baroque-style church has been standing in Lecce since the 17th century. Located in Via Umberto I, the church features a decorated facade that is a sight to behold, including an unmissable rose window.
The stadium is not renowned as a concert venue, but it did host the Italia Wave Love Festival from July 14 to July 17, 2011. The festival featured artists like Lou Reed, Kaiser Chiefs and Paolo Nutini.
The Stadio Via del Mare opened in 1966, replacing Lecce’s old Stadio Carlo Pranzo. Lecce opened the ground with a friendly against Spartak Moscow in September 1966, less than a year before they hosted Pele’s Santos for an iconic friendly. The Brazilian legend scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory for the visiting side.
The capacity was increased from 16,000 to 20,500 in 1976 before it underwent a significant renovation project in the mid 1980s to expand the stadium’s capacity to 55,000, until it was later reduced to 40,670 as part of an effort to number all of the seats in the stadium. The capacity has since been reduced due to safety concerns.
In 2002, the name of the stadium was changed to incorporate Ettore Giardiniero, who served as the city’s mayor in the 1980s when he played a key role in the ground’s renovation.
Record attendance:
41,754 vs. AC Milan (Serie A, April 1989)
Average attendances:
2025-2026: 25,842 (Serie A)
2024-2025: 26,007 (Serie A)
2023-2024: 26,644 (Serie A)
2022-2023: 24,654 (Serie A)
2021-2022: 10,205 (Serie B)
2020-2021: 614 (Serie B)
2019-2020: 22,879 (Serie A)
2018-2019: 12, 116 (Serie B)
Leece view Bari as their fiercest rivals. The two teams from Apulia meet in the Derby di Puglia, the first of which was played in December 1929, when Lecce claimed a narrow 1-0 victory.
The two teams would not meet in a Serie A fixture until October 1985. On that occasion, Lecce fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Stadio della Vittoria.
The most recent edition of the derby took place in the 2010-11 Serie A season, which saw Lecce bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat with a 2-0 win on their travels.
It is unclear when the long wait for the next meeting will end, with Lecce competing in the Serie A, a league above their arch-rivals.
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