New €300M Stadium at Fairgrounds, Work to Begin in 2027: Groups Call for Old Dall'Ara to Remain Sports Venue

Bologna's new stadium will be built at the Fairgrounds, with construction set to begin in 2027. According to Resto del Carlino, BolognaFiere and Bologna Calcio have made their decision and the City has already filed the letter of intent with the Italian Football Federation needed to access €25-30 million in state funding.

The €300 Million Project

The goal is to complete the facility, with 35,000 capacity, in time for the 2031-32 season, making it potentially available for Euro 2032 (a tournament for which Bologna is currently in contention as a reserve host). The definitive architectural design has been entrusted to the Shesa studio of architect Eloy Suarez, who designed Juventus Stadium, working alongside Mjw Structures of engineer Massimo Majowiecki, who oversaw the roof design for the previous Dall'Ara renovation project. According to Carlino, the choice has fallen on a fully mobile roof and a movable playing field to make the stadium usable for trade fairs, concerts and major events.

The financial and economic plan still needs to be finalized and certified by banks and audit firms: of the €300 million budgeted, approximately €100 million is still needed, which could drop to €70 million thanks to government contributions. Among the founding partners of the real estate company that will manage the facility would be BolognaFiere alongside Saputo, while possible partners cited by Carlino include Live Nation (already organizer of Dall'Ara concerts), Alberto Vacchi of Ima and energy companies such as Esco Energia and Eni Plenitude.

What Happens to the Old Dall'Ara

Parallel to this, the question of the current stadium's future has opened. It will return under full municipal control in 2028 when the thirty-year agreement with the club expires. Mayor Matteo Lepore has announced the start of meetings with sports associations that currently use the via Andrea Costa facility, identifying 2031 as a suitable timeframe for an alternative project offering sports, cultural and social services to the neighborhood.

The three associations that operate the gyms and pools at Dall'Ara—Sempre Avanti, Acquadela and Acquablu—together have approximately 5,000 members and are calling for the facility to maintain its sports purpose. "We hope to remain inside the gyms even if Bologna were to leave," said Patrizio Del Bello of Sempre Avanti, while Giorgio Rizzoli of Acquadela hopes the facility won't be turned into "buildings or other things."

Also looking at the adjacent stadium area, closed for four years, is Italian Athletics Federation council member Ester Balassini, who has proposed creating an athletics hub in the space, with renovation of the track for use by all sports.