The Stadio Olimpico in Rome is one of the capital’s most important sporting and cultural venues. It hosts football matches, athletics competitions, concerts and major international ceremonies, and forms part of the Foro Italico complex. It is also the home ground of AS Roma and SS Lazio, who play their home fixtures here, making it one of the most recognisable stadiums in Europe.
How many people can the Olympic Stadium hold?
The official capacity of Rome’s Stadio Olimpico is 70,634 spectators, which makes it one of the largest sports venues in Italy. This capacity is approved for UEFA and FIGC competitions, including Serie A matches, the Coppa Italia, European tournaments and major international events.
The history of the Olympic Stadium
The story of the stadium began well before it acquired its current name. Its origins date back to the 1930s, when the Stadio dei Cipressi was built as part of the wider project that would become the Foro Italico. At the time, it was intended for gymnastics and other sporting activities promoted during the Fascist era.
After the Second World War, as football grew in popularity, plans emerged for a much larger venue known as the Stadio dei Centomila (Stadium of One Hundred Thousand), designed to host mass events. Construction began in the 1950s, and the new stadium was inaugurated in time for the major international events Rome was preparing to host. In 1960, during the Rome Olympic Games, it officially became the Stadio Olimpico, staging the opening and closing ceremonies as well as numerous athletics events.
Over the decades, the stadium has hosted the 1968 European Championship final, the 1990 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, and several European Cup and Champions League finals. Ahead of Italia ’90, it underwent extensive renovation: the stands were rebuilt, facilities upgraded, and a large ring-shaped roof structure was added, giving the stadium its current profile.
Its reputation as a football landmark has been shaped by the matches of Roma and Lazio, the intensity of the Rome derby and major rugby fixtures such as the Six Nations. Alongside sport, the Olimpico has increasingly become a venue for large-scale concerts and other events.
What are the main areas of the Olympic Stadium?
The Stadio Olimpico is divided into several sectors, each with its own function and atmosphere. The main sections are:
- South Curve
- North Curve
- Distinti (North and South, Tevere and Monte Mario sides)
- Tevere Tribune
- Monte Mario Grandstand
For concerts, the layout is often expanded to include the lawn sector, where part of the pitch is converted into standing space for the audience.
How to visit the Olympic Stadium
The stadium can be visited even outside match days through organised tours, including the Stadio Olimpico Tour. These tours provide access to areas usually reserved for players, referees and staff.
The experience typically includes:
- Access to the team changing rooms, where shirts, historic kits and information panels about notable players are displayed.
- Walk through the players’ tunnel leading onto the pitch.
- Pitchside access, with the chance to sit on the benches and view the stadium at ground level.
- Entry to selected stands and special areas, such as hospitality sections and, at times, press facilities.
The exact itinerary may vary depending on events and stadium operations.
In which area of Rome is it located, and how to get there
The Stadio Olimpico is located in the north-west of Rome, at the foot of Monte Mario. It is close to the neighbourhoods of Flaminio and Prati, and not far from Ponte Milvio.
Living in Rome
Rome offers a combination of cultural heritage, social life and everyday variety that is difficult to match elsewhere in Europe. The areas around the stadium, including Prati, Flaminio, Fleming and the Ponte Milvio district, are well-regarded residential neighbourhoods. They offer a good range of schools, shops, restaurants and green spaces, along with reasonable connections to the city centre.
For those considering a move to Rome, these districts are often chosen for their balance between proximity to central Rome and a more residential atmosphere, particularly appealing to families and professionals.
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