Go-ahead for Bluenergy Stadium revamp

Image: Empower Sports and Udinese Calcio

Udine City Council in Italy has given the green light for redevelopment of a large swathe of Bluenergy Stadium.

Udinese Calcio said the new facilities will include food courts, shopping areas, a leisure centre with a swimming pool, a hotel and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Museum of Sport.

Bluenergy Stadium, formerly known as Stadio Friuli, is an all-seater football stadium in Udine, Italy, and the home of the Serie A club Udinese. The stadium was built in 1976 and has a capacity of 25,144. It was one of the venues for the 1990 World Cup.

Udinese Calcio, commonly referred to as Udinese, is a professional Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy), which currently competes in the Serie A, the top of the Italian football league system.

With implementation of the recently approved Stadio 2.0 project, driven by Udine City Council and Udinese Calcio, the stadium is set to turn into a vibrant hub for entertainment, culture, and leisure – welcoming residents and visitors every day of the year.

With construction plans set to move forward, Bluenergy Stadium is poised to become a trailblazing example of how sports venues can evolve into thriving community hubs. The Stadio 2.0 project promises to strengthen the bond between Udine and Udinese Calcio while solidifying its status as a leader in innovation and sustainability.

The redevelopment will span 20,000 square meters, introducing a wide array of modern facilities. It will cement the stadium’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and fan engagement, elevating it to one of Europe’s premier multi-functional venues.

Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni said, “Stadio Friuli is one of Udine’s crown jewels – a symbol of our city’s passion for sports and its international visibility.

“The Stadio 2.0 project represents a bold step forward, transforming our stadium into a groundbreaking space that combines sports, culture, and innovation. I am deeply grateful to our city council and Udinese Calcio for their dedication to this vision.”

Udinese Calcio administrative director Alberto Rigotto added, “Bluenergy Stadium is seen as a model stadium internationally. We are particularly happy as the city council’s approval has finally put an end to years of obstacles and red tape which deprived our community of a great project like Stadio 2.0.

“We thank mayor De Toni and the municipality of Udine for their collaboration. We believe this approval is an important step that will bring even more benefits to the city of Udine and Friuli Venezia Giulia, both of which have already reaped huge advantages in appeal terms since Udinese built the new stadium, with all the big international events we’ve been able to host in our jewel.

“Now, at long last – once the details have been finalised – we will be able to finish our plans to turn Bluenergy Stadium into a sustainable hub of services for the community 365 days a year.”

Bluenergy Stadium is already celebrated for hosting over 150 events annually, including international football and rugby matches, as well as high-profile concerts featuring artists like Zucchero and Negramaro.

The redevelopment will ensure it remains a magnet for world-class events while becoming a vibrant community destination year-round.
 
The Stadio 2.0 project will redefine the fan and visitor experience by integrating cutting-edge amenities including:

• Shopping and Dining: A 1,500-square-meter retail space featuring clothing and tech stores, health outlets, and everyday food options.
• Workspaces and Conferences: Modern coworking areas, professional offices, and conference facilities.
• Cultural and Educational Spaces: A potential music school, rehearsal rooms, and performance areas for concerts and dance displays.
• Sports and Wellness: A state-of-the-art fitness center, a swimming pool, and medical facilities specializing in physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
• Tourism and Hospitality: A hotel designed to accommodate sports teams and travelers, boosting local tourism.

 
Rigotto said, “This redevelopment is not just about enhancing the stadium – it’s about creating a sustainable, community-focused space that benefits the entire region. With the city council’s support, we’re thrilled to bring this vision to life.”

By combining sports, culture, and commerce, Bluenergy Stadium will become a cornerstone for local economic development and tourism. The addition of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Museum of Sport will celebrate regional heritage, while the new facilities are set to attract diverse audiences, from sports fans to leisure seekers.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

• Tags »
• Bluenergy Stadium
• Stadio Friuli
• Udine City Council

« Previous News: Scottish Rugby committed to Murrayfield
» Next News: Second review of Brisbane 2032 venues