Stadio Olimpico is the largest sports stadium in Rome, Italy, sitting inside the Foro Italico sports complex near the Tiber River. Opened on May 17, 1953, it has served for over seven decades as the shared home of Serie A rivals AS Roma and SS Lazio, as well as Italy’s national football and rugby union teams.
Few venues in world football carry as much history. Stadio Olimpico hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics, the 1990 FIFA World Cup final, two UEFA Champions League finals, and multiple European Championship finals, making it one of the most decorated stadiums in Europe.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): AS Roma, SS Lazio, Italy national football team
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Opened: May 17, 1953
- Capacity: About 70,634
- Champions League Finals Hosted: 1996 and 2009
- Notable Event: 1990 FIFA World Cup final
Home to Rome’s Fiercest Rivalry
Stadio Olimpico is unusual in that it hosts two top-flight rivals under one roof. AS Roma and SS Lazio have both played their home matches here since the stadium opened, turning the venue into the stage for the Derby della Capitale, one of Italian football’s most heated rivalries.
The stadium’s oval bowl and running track, a remnant of its Olympic athletics heritage, still separate fans from the pitch, giving it a distinct atmosphere compared to more modern, football-only grounds.
A History of Major Tournaments
Beyond hosting the 1960 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, Stadio Olimpico staged UEFA Euro finals in 1968 and 1980, and welcomed the world for the 1990 FIFA World Cup final, where West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 on July 8, 1990.
The venue has also twice hosted the UEFA Champions League final, in 1996 and 2009, and a roof was added during renovations ahead of the 1990 World Cup, reshaping the stadium into the form fans recognize today.
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Stadio Olimpico FAQs
Who plays at Stadio Olimpico?
AS Roma and SS Lazio both play their Serie A home matches there, along with Italy’s national football and rugby union teams.
How many people does Stadio Olimpico hold?
The stadium’s current capacity is about 70,634 spectators.
Has Stadio Olimpico hosted a World Cup final?
Yes, it hosted the 1990 FIFA World Cup final, where West Germany defeated Argentina 1-0.
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Photo: Messapi, cropped by Blackcat / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.