Serie A club Lazio have formally submitted plans to redevelop the long-abandoned Stadio Flaminio into a modern 50,000-seat football stadium.
The historic venue in Rome, which fell into disuse after Italy’s national rugby team moved away in 2011, could soon be brought back to life as Lazio’s new home, ending decades of sharing the Stadio Olimpico with cross-town rivals AS Roma.
According to Stadium Business, documentation was recently delivered to Rome’s municipal authorities, starting an administrative review process that could lead to construction beginning within months if approved.
The plan calls for a major modernisation of the existing Flaminio structure, with a total investment estimated at around €438 million (£380 m) and a projected timeframe of roughly three years once works begin.
From Olympic legacy to Serie A ambition
Originally built for the 1960 Olympic Games and later used as a staging ground for Italy’s Six Nations rugby fixtures, the Stadio Flaminio has stood largely unused for more than 15 years.
Under Lazio’s proposal, the stadium would be revived and expanded from its current capacity of around 25,000 up to more than 50,000 seats, enabling it to host not only domestic fixtures but also potentially European and international matches, including Euro 2032, a tournament Italy is co-hosting with Turkey.
The redevelopment is designed to respect the venue’s historic architecture, the original stands and concrete structure will be preserved and encapsulated within a new external envelope, increasing height and functionality while safeguarding heritage elements.
Plans also propose adding stand-specific capacities across all four quadrants and modern facilities such as hospitality zones and improved access routes.
Lazio’s president Claudio Lotito has emphasised the importance of tackling bureaucratic steps methodically now that formal plans are in place, positioning the proposal as a serious entrant for major sporting events if technical and institutional criteria are met.
Impact on Lazio and the capital
For Lazio supporters, a dedicated home stadium has long been a dream. Sharing the Stadio Olimpico — owned by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and also used by AS Roma, has denied the Biancocelesti a true “fortress” and constrained matchday identity.
A successful Flaminio redeployment could offer greater matchday revenue potential, enhanced supporter atmosphere and a base that more closely reflects the club’s ambitions domestically and in Europe.
If approval and financing align, work could begin later this year and conclude in time for Lazio to host high-profile fixtures by 2030, bolstering both local engagement and Italy’s hosting credentials ahead of major tournaments.
Lazio are prepared to take on €283m (£245m) in 30-year loans to execute the project, with €85.6m (£74m) to be self-financed, €24m (£20m) from public contributions, and €45.6m (£39m) to be covered by VAT.
FGG Says
For decades, Lazio have lacked a stadium of its own, and this project could rewrite that narrative. Balancing heritage protection with modern requirements is no easy feat, but reawakening Flaminio could deliver a cultural and sporting landmark that honours Rome’s Olympic past while giving Lazio a home that reflects its future aspirations.