The corporate exhibition group BolognaFiere and the Serie A team Bologna FC 1909 (Italy) have reached an agreement to develop Bologna FC’s new stadium, a state-of-the-art 35,000-seat venue designed to host not only football matches but also trade fairs, conferences and the major live music events.
The top-flight has decided not to implement the earlier plans to renovate their historic home – the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna, Italy.
New Stadium
The new stadium will be built in the Northern area of BolognaFiere already earmarked for exhibition development under the program agreement. It will have a dedicated motorway exit and railway station with two ring-road exits and a stop on the new tram line nearby as well as extensive parking facilities.
Integrated Urban District
The development of the new stadium represents a further step in the wider development project for the BolognaFiere area which is set to become a major integrated urban district bringing together trade fairs and conferences, sport and entertainment thus strengthening Bologna’s appeal and its international standing in the live music sector.
Operational Phase
‘BOLOGNA FC 1909’ stated that the initial assessments now allow the project to enter its operational phase with the plans to be submitted to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as provided for under Article 9-ter, Paragraph 2, of Decree-Law 96 of June 6th, 2025.
The BolognaFiere is a major international trade exhibition center and corporate exhibition group based in Bologna, Italy.
The Bologna Football Club 1909, commonly referred to as Bologna, is an Italian professional football club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna (Italy) that plays in Serie A, the top flight of Italian football.
The 36,532-seat Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is a multipurpose stadium in Bologna, Italy. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home of Bologna FC 1909.
Strong Multipurpose Focus
‘BOLOGNA FC 1909’ further stated that the stadium will have a strong multipurpose focus. The project includes a retractable roof and a movable playing field thus allowing the central area of the arena to be cleared and used for concerts, major live productions, trade fairs, and conferences.
Total Investment
The total investment is expected to be approximately €300 million.
Project First Phase
The first phase of the project has been designed by Architect Eloy Suárez of Studio SHESA (an international architectural and design practice) and Professor Massimo Majowiecki of MJW Structures (Italian structural engineering firm), professionals with extensive international experience in the design of major sports venues and complex structures.
Project Timeline
The project timeline sets spring 2031 as the target for completion of the works with the aim of enabling the Bologna FC to play the 2031-2032 seasons at the new stadium and ensuring the venue is fully operational should it be required for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) EURO 2032.
Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the governing body of football in Europe and one of FIFA’s six continental confederations for association football consisting of 55 national associations.
The 2032 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA EURO 2032 or simply EURO 2032, will be the 19th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international football championship organized by the UEFA for the senior Men’s national teams of its member associations. Italy and Türkiye will host the tournament which is expected to take place between June and July 2032.
‘Economic-Practical Sustainability’
Observed Gianpiero Calzolari, President, BolognaFiere, “We are aware of the scale and complexity of the project and, for this very reason, we want to approach it with great seriousness, responsibility and a strong focus on its economic and practical sustainability. The new stadium must be an infrastructure that serves the Bologna FC and its supporters, but also an asset for Bologna: A vibrant place throughout the year integrated with the exhibition district and capable of expanding the opportunities available to the city in sport, music and major events. We have a challenging process ahead that will require the coordinated work of all those involved and close cooperation with the relevant institutions with full respect for their respective roles and the procedures established as part of the approval process. It is a major collective challenge. We are determined to do everything necessary on our part to ensure the project can be delivered.”
‘Complete Experience’
Commented Claudio Fenucci, Head Honcho, Bologna FC 1909, “This is an important first step towards our goal of building a modern, multipurpose stadium that will enable Bologna to generate resources and ensure greater sporting competitiveness over time. The project envisages a venue with high-quality standards thus offering the public not only the great excitement of watching a match live but also a complete experience in terms of digital technology and hospitality. It will not be a venue dedicated solely to football, its multipurpose nature will make it a unique asset for the city capable of attracting international attention across sport, exhibitions, music, and culture. This is a major investment and, alongside the commitment of BolognaFiere and Joey Saputo (Canadian businessman who is the Chairman of Bologna FC), it will require the involvement of the investors who share the same vision for the development of the city.”
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