After years of constant challenges in Italy's ancient capital, the Roma new stadium project appears to be advancing.
Moving away from their home at Stadio Olimpico has proved incredibly difficult for Roma, although the club finally appears to be making progress.
That said, the club had previously presented definitive plans for a new stadium under previous owner James Pallotta, and they were ultimately scrapped before a single spade had entered the ground.
Latest updates on Roma new stadium
January 2025 update
Club CEO Lorenzo Vitali has stated that Roma is nearing the commencement of construction on their new stadium. Vitali aimed to clarify that the long-anticipated project would soon become a reality. Since the initial proposal for a new stadium surfaced in 2011, bureaucratic obstacles have hindered its progress, including tensions with the local community at the proposed stadium location.
On New Year's Eve, fans were taken aback by a visual presentation of the planned new stadium during a video message from the club's owners, the Friedkin Group. This signifies that 2025 will be a significant year for Giallorossi supporters, who have long awaited their own stadium. A new facility for Roma also represents a major step toward modernization, moving away from their current venue, which is nearing fifty years of age.
Reports indicate that the project's cost has now doubled, with construction expected to start in February 2025 and aimed for completion in 2027. When a feasibility study was unveiled in April 2022, the estimated cost of constructing a new stadium for Roma was around €570 million. However, as of January 2025, this figure will balloon to at least €1 billion for the new Roma stadium.
September 2024 update
Roma aims to initiate the construction of its new stadium in 2025 and inaugurate the venue in 2027, coinciding with the club's centenary celebration. However, Roma still faces some regulatory challenges. Local residents on the site designated for the new stadium are objecting to the project by submitting civil court motions. This matter is anticipated to be settled by the end of September.
July 2024 update
Populous and Roma released images and videos of their planned new stadium design. The concept video for the new ground included a vision for the “Curva Sud,” which is intended to be the largest single stand in European football.
Ryan Friedkin said: “It was an honour to meet today with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and present our vision for the new stadium. This extraordinary stadium is not only a new home for AS Roma and its fans but also a landmark for all the citizens of Rome. The new Curva Sud, set to become the largest Curva in Europe, will be a powerful focal point that embodies the passion and energy of our supporters.”
September-October 2023 update
A public debate about Roma's potential new stadium took place in September and October 2023, creating two separate documents.
The first summarized the main observations of the debate, while the second summarised the themes. The combination of the two will be used to evaluate which issues will be explored further after the club presents the final project.
As with the vast majority of new stadium builds, the main concern is expected to be the potential impact on the environment in the surrounding area.
February 2023 update
In February 2023, it was announced that the project had gained “public interest status”. The City Council of Rome believe that Roma building a new stadium will help to regenerate the Pietralata district. It is estimated that the ground will hold 55,000 fans, possibly extending that number to 62,000.
The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri said: “By 2023, the definitive project and the deliberative services conference will be readied. The opening of the construction site is scheduled for 2024, with the inauguration in 2027 for the club’s celebratory year.”
Roma new stadium an ongoing saga
Constructing a brand-new stadium is never easy and inevitably has many unforeseen complications. However, the situation at Roma has been arguably more complex than most.
Pallotta first presented the location for the club's new stadium at Tor Di Valle in 2016, and since then, very little real progress has been made. Indeed, the city of Rome has cycled through four different Mayors in the same timeframe.
In 2021, new owner Dan Friedkin announced that the club had scrapped those plans, citing political interference as the main reason the Roma new stadium project could not proceed.
The initial Tor Di Valle project was a disappointment for everyone associated with the club. Many fans were angry at those who made it nearly impossible for the Giallorossi to progress with their plans.
At least now, under the watch of the club's new ownership, there appears to be a glimmer of hope.
Roma's planned stadium in Pietralata
The club's most recent project involves building a new stadium in the Pietralata neighborhood of Rome, the Italian capital.
Roberto Gualtieri, the city's current Mayor, encouraged Roma fans further in late 2023, saying, “We have welcomed the club’s willingness and commitment to build the stadium, and a piece of the road has already been taken.”
There is also reason to believe that the club's new stadium will be incredibly modern. Populous, the architectural company that helped construct Tottenham Hotspur's breathtaking new stadium, is working on the new project for the Giallorossi.
To further encourage Italian fans, the Friedkin group is reportedly prepared to invest approximately £513 million in the project, financed by Bank of America and JP Morgan. However, this figure is now expected to surpass £800 million.
The revenue generated from the new stadium is also expected to be around £60 million a year.
FGG says: New home for Roma
Roma are a huge club, and this new stadium marks a major step forward for them. Moving away from the Stadio Olimpico will be a major change for the club, but a new home in the long term will be a huge bonus. More importantly, it means Roma have a home of their own, not one they will share with other clubs.