Serie A club ‘accelerate’ stadium plans amid Euro 2032 hosting hope

Cagliari are accelerating work on their long-awaited new stadium project as the Serie A club pushes to ensure the venue is ready in time to support Italy’s bid to host matches at UEFA Euro 2032.

The Sardinian side’s proposed new arena has become increasingly important amid growing concerns over Italy’s stadium infrastructure, with UEFA reportedly warning that the country must speed up redevelopment work or risk complications to its co-hosting plans with Turkey.

Financial breakthrough ends gridlock

After years of delays, the project has gained significant momentum following a critical breakthrough in recent weeks, following a finalized agreement on the economic and financial plan. 

Financial hurdles, specifically the level of fees for using the stadium, had long been a primary point of dispute that threatened to stall the investment.

Ultimately, a compromise was reached, setting the annual rent for the facility between €150,000 and €180,000 (£130,000 – £156,000). This agreement clears the path for formal procedures to resume, with the club now preparing an updated financial plan for analysis and approval by city authorities. 

The next steps involve adopting resolutions for land-use rights and officially recognizing the investment as a project of public importance, a standard but vital designation for infrastructure on this scale.

The road to 2027 and Euro 2032

The implementation process is now divided into a clear administrative and construction timeline. In the coming months, the priority remains the approval of financial documentation and securing all required permits. 

Once the city council approves the key elements of the investment, a tender for the contractor is expected to be announced in the summer of 2026.

If the current pace is maintained, construction of the new Stadio Cagliari is slated to begin in 2027. This aggressive schedule is deemed necessary to ensure the stadium is fully operational for Euro 2032, meeting stringent UEFA requirements regarding capacity, media facilities, VIP hospitality, and transport infrastructure.

The new venue is expected to replace the temporary Unipol Domus and become a modern permanent home for the club, with capacity projected at around 30,000.

Italy’s preparations for Euro 2032 have come under increasing scrutiny, with widespread reports claiming only one of the country’s proposed venues is currently fully ready. 

This pressure has increased the urgency for clubs like Cagliari to make meaningful progress if their cities are to remain in contention. Italy must eventually reduce its initial longlist of stadiums down to just five host venues, creating fierce competition among candidate cities.

Beyond the international tournament, the stadium is considered crucial for Cagliari’s long-term survival and ambition. A modern, club-controlled venue would significantly improve matchday revenue and commercial opportunities compared to the current temporary setup.

FGG Says

Cagliari’s stadium project is no longer just about replacing a temporary home, it is now part of Italy’s wider race against time to modernise its football infrastructure before Euro 2032.

With UEFA pressure mounting and host venue decisions approaching, every month matters. If Cagliari can keep the project moving, Sardinia may yet secure one of the most prestigious matches in European international football later this decade.