AS Roma have been given the green light to build their own stadium and end their current ground share with Lazio at the Stadio Olympic. Plans have been approved for work on the Stadio della Roma to begin, with the Serie A giants hoping to move into the 60,000 capacity stadium for the 2020/21 season.
Roma currently share the Stadio Olimpico with Lazio but are only tenants. The Stadio della Roma will allow the club to build their own identity with a place they can finally call their own – an essential step into fully maximising all revenue streams with adjoining bars and restaurants, as well as a long awaited fortress for their supporters, and one that will no doubt enhance the whole match day experience.
The Stadio Olimpico has history, it hosted the 1990 World Cup Final, but there's no doubt that it's holding Roma back if they want to become one of the world's footballing powerhouses. Their new home will hugely improve the experience from a fan's perspective, not least because of the removal of the atmosphere absorbing running track at their current home.
Over 80 locations were scouted for the new stadium, with the final destination being the Tor di Valle region of the city, 15 miles south from the Stadio Olimpico. A new training complex will be built just north of the stadium, as part of the €2 billion total – approximately €400 million of which will go on the stadium itself. Oh, and they'll be 938 bathrooms if you were wondering.
Above: Roma has shared the Stadio Olimpico with Lazio since 1953.
Nothing like a proper cross-city rivalry, and this move will only benefit both Roma and Lazio. Roll on the 2020/21 season.
