Work on the redevelopment of the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce, Italy, got rolling recently. The rejig work of the facility will result in a new-look venue. With another €7 million of capital injection the goal is to spruce up the outdoor area too.
‘LECCEPRIMA’ stated that the above redevelopment work will see a totally redecorated stadium within 300 days. The venue is being transformed for the 2026 Mediterranean Games.
The Stadio Ettore Giardiniero – Via del Mare, known as the Stadio Via del Mare, is a multipurpose stadium in Lecce, Italy. It is mostly used for football matches and is the home of the Serie A team U.S. Lecce. The stadium was built in 1966 and holds 40,670 seats.
The Unione Sportiva Lecce is a professional Italian football club based in Lecce, Apulia (Italy). The club plays in the Serie A for the 2025-2026 seasons, the top level of the Italian football pyramid. Lecce plays its home games at the 40,670-capacity Stadio Via del Mare.
The 2026 Mediterranean Games, officially known as the XX Mediterranean Games and commonly known as Taranto 2026, is an upcoming international multisport event in the Mediterranean Games series that is scheduled to be held from August 21st-September 3rd, 2026 in Taranto, Italy.
Massimo Ferrarese, Special Commissioner, 2026 Mediterranean Games, termed the above development as a “dream project” and recalled the decisions reached, the appeals that slowed down the planning exercise and the objective now to speed up the venue project – “It is not just a simple renovation but a complete project per se.”
‘LECCEPRIMA’ further stated that one of the challenges will be to complete the renovation work and at the same time keeping in mind Lecce’s simultaneous Serie A season commitment.
Explained Ferrarese, “In Italy, this is the first time a project like this will be completed without interrupting the matches. But, over the coming months, there will be some disruption for the fans.”
The renovation will cost over €11 million with the contract awarded to two companies for €6.438 million. The restyling will provide a new look with enhancements to the existing structure, the restoration and upgrade of the spaces to meet the highest standards, waterproofing of the stands, and maintenance of the lower East Stand and the upper tier.
The redevelopment will also include the hospitality area’s ancillary services including the refreshments space, a bar, the restrooms, and the first-aid stations located throughout the various areas as well as the walkway to the Sky Boxes, the mixed zone, the Press Room, and the removal of the architectural barriers. The pitch will be reinforced as well as the roofs of the arena and the upgrades will lend a look to the stadium akin to the 70,634-capacity Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
The first phase of construction will take approximately eight months followed by the relocation of the pitch and the final design of the roof. The overall revamp work is expected to be over in March 2026 when the steel structure of the new roof will be erected which is expected to be completed between May and June.
Between May and June no matches will be held at the Via del Mare to ensure that the construction work is carried out in a seamless manner as well as meeting the deadlines.
The Deputy Mayor of Lecce Giordano Anguilla thanked ‘I Giallorossi’ for conducting the feasibility study and affirmed, “Approximately, 300 days will be required to totally transform the Stadio Via del Mare. The decision to divide the project into two lots was the best solution as this ensured that the sports season could continue.”
He said once the venue revamp work is over it would leave the fans awe-struck.
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.