Fiorentina’s long-running stadium redevelopment drama has taken another unwelcome turn after Florence’s new mayor confirmed fresh delays to the Stadio Artemio Franchi project, pushing the expected completion date back to the 2029-30 season.
The announcement has frustrated supporters who were hoping that work would accelerate this year after prolonged inactivity and partial demolition of the Curva Fiesole section.
According to Football Italia, Mayor Sara Funaro held a meeting this week with club officials and city planners, outlining the latest timeline and acknowledging significant funding challenges still standing in the way of progress.
Funaro emphasised the gap between available resources and what remains necessary to finish the stadium, which has seen sporadic work since major reconstruction began.
“The overall costs are around €265m, so we are missing circa €60m to complete the stadium,” the Mayor explained. She noted that the project must have its financing and detailed plans formalised by July 31 2027, after which work can be scheduled towards the updated deadline.
“This stadium will be completed and available in its totality from the 2029-30 football season,” she added, underlining that much remains unresolved before construction can proceed smoothly.
Funaro also indicated that negotiations over contractor contracts and permissions will dictate the pace of the work ahead.
The mayor spoke openly about logistical uncertainties, stating: “It would be wrong to set out a schedule now without having the businesses under contract. We have a rough estimate that we believe can be adhered to.”
She suggested that extended working hours, potentially including overnight shifts, could be part of a future strategy to expedite the project, but would require additional approval via Italy’s sports decree process.
Funding disagreements and political standoff
The new timeline represents a blow to Fiorentina and their supporters, who have repeatedly expressed frustration at the standstill.
At the heart of the issue is a dispute between the club and local authorities over responsibility for funding and control of the works.
Club president Rocco Commisso had previously proposed building an entirely new stadium or at least taking the lead on the rebuilding of the historic Artemio Franchi.
Those plans were rejected by the council, which has insisted the project remain under municipal oversight with additional private investment.
The standoff over financing and governance has been a recurring theme since work first began, and fans fear repeated setbacks could undermine confidence and support ahead of what was once billed as a transformative development for the club.
The delay also means Fiorentina will continue playing in a partially deconstructed stadium, with limited capacity in sections such as the Curva Fiesole, dampening the matchday atmosphere that has been a fixture of the club’s identity for generations.
FGG Says
Fiorentina’s stadium saga is a cautionary tale about how not to manage major sporting infrastructure projects. A club with loyal fans, historic appeal and clear ambition deserves a home worthy of its stature, but that requires clarity, cooperation and funding certainty from day one.
Pushing the completion back to 2029-30 feels like another dent in credibility for both the club and the city’s leadership. Pretty words about funding plans and overnight shifts will not fill empty seats or satisfy supporters who have watched progress stall while rivals move ahead.
If this project is ever to restore pride and deliver the world-class venue promised, it needs leadership that matches Fiorentina’s ambition.