The modernization of the Artemio Franchi stadium was supposed to be ready for Fiorentina’s centenary in 2026. Instead, the project is increasingly bogged down in shifting schedules, unclear decisions, and the silence of city authorities.

Where is work really happening?

Officially, everything is proceeding according to the approved project variant, but reality shows otherwise. The Services Conference gave the green light as early as June 27, assuming that summer would be a period of intensive activity, when Fiorentina would not be playing at Stadio Artemio Franchi. However, aerial photos published in recent weeks suggest delays.

Unfinished sections of the structure can be seen, and aerial shots indicate delays in the execution of work scheduled for the summer break. Fans fear that by mid-September, when Viola return to their pitch, the stadium will be far from ready.

Concerns also arise over the scale of visible changes. Palazzo Vecchio emphasizes that work is focused on already started sectors – Fiesole, a fragment of the Maratona, and part of the main stand – but for the average observer, the pace may not be sufficient.

Why is there no schedule?

Another uncertainty concerns documentation. The new project variant has been formally approved, yet no detailed work calendar has been made public so far. The absence of such a document makes it difficult to track progress and undermines the transparency of the entire process.

The problem is compounded by the fact that earlier deadlines have already been postponed several times. At the beginning of 2024, it was promised that reorganizing the construction site would allow the stadium to remain in continuous use. Today, however, no one can explain how the city intends to maintain that balance, since no updated calculations or dates have been presented.

Fiorentina’s centenary in the shadow of uncertainty

The centenary celebrations in 2026 are of particular importance. After a meeting at the prefecture at the end of 2024, it was announced that the Fiesole stand would be delivered in August 2026 to become the main symbol of the jubilee.

Today, however, that goal seems increasingly distant. Considering the state of the works, the need for testing and technical approvals, as well as the fact that the team must continue playing at the Franchi, meeting the deadline is becoming a challenge bordering on impossible. Every additional month of delay increases the risk that on Fiorentina’s 100th anniversary, fans will be greeted by a construction site.

Doubts over contracts with contractors

Uncertainty also surrounds the formal relations with construction companies. Councillor Massimo Sabatini suggested that the firms responsible for the redevelopment have not yet signed new contracts following the introduction of the variant. According to procedure, they should have submitted a statement of submission, a preliminary document obliging them to adjust the schedule, even before full project approval.

The lack of clear contracts after the variant was introduced raises questions about the continuation of the works. Without full financial and legal guarantees from the municipality, companies may limit their commitment, which risks further delays.

© ACF Fiorentina | Diseño del Estadio Artemio Franchi

Financing in limbo

The situation is further complicated by financing. Fiorentina are waiting for owner Rocco Commisso to return to Florence and present a proposal to support the project. For this to be possible, the club needs updated documents specifying deadlines and costs. Only then can the formalization process begin, which in itself will take many months.

At the same time, the issue of funds returned by the government resurfaces. The €55 million that had previously been withdrawn were made available again to the municipality at the beginning of July. They were supposed to support works already financed from the city budget, which would allow savings to be shifted to other elements of the stadium. However, since the announcement of this success, no details have been provided on how the money will be used.

Official stance of city

Palazzo Vecchio maintains that everything is progressing according to the approved variant. Statements stress that work is concentrated on key areas – Fiesole, the Maratona, and the main stand – and that the stadium’s capacity will remain at its current level. The authorities also assure that costs will not increase and that reorganizing the work will maintain the balance between construction and matches.

In fact, some work was carried out during the summer: old coverings were removed from the stands, floor structures were reinforced, new protective coatings were applied, the tower’s thorough renovation began, and the first level of the new Fiesole stand was completed. Yet this is only a small piece of a much larger puzzle.