Stadio Luigi Ferraris – design description

How does the modernization project of Stadio Luigi Ferraris by Officina Architetti look like in a nutshell?

Plans to modernize the Stadio Luigi Ferraris had been around for a long time, but concrete steps were taken only when the possibility of hosting Euro 2032 matches arose. Architect Hembert Penaranda and his Officina Architetti were given the task to prepare plans for the reconstruction.

The project called for maintaining the capacity at around 33,000 seats. Changes were to include raising the corner towers, bringing the staircases outside the building or creating additional glass boxes. The plan was to be implemented in phases between 2025 and 2028 and would cost about €100 million.

In October 2024, a private company, CDS Holding, came up with its own initiative, presenting alternative plans for the modernization of Stadio Luigi Ferraris – after reaching an agreement with the clubs, it is the new vision, with architect Stefano Boeri behind it, that is to be developed.

What does the Stadio Luigi Ferraris look like?

The Stadio Luigi Ferraris was inaugurated in 1911 and is considered the oldest functioning stadium in Italy to date. The facility gained its current form after a complete reconstruction carried out before the 1990 World Cup, designed by Vittorio Gregotti.

The stadium is characterized by its distinctive form, with tiered stands and towers in the corners. The facility can hold more than 33,000 spectators, and is hosted by Genoa's two leading football clubs, Genoa CFC and Sampdoria.

Why was the modernization of Stadio Luigi Ferraris planned?

The need to modernize the stadium has been talked about for some time. There have also been reports that Sampdoria would like to build its own facility. The city, which owns the stadium, had in turn been making attempts to privatize the stadium – most willingly handing it over to the clubs, but the clubs did not flock to take it over.

The breakthrough came in connection with preparations for Euro 2032 – in October 2023, following the merger of the bids of Italy and Turkey, the countries, devoid of competitors, were announced as hosts of the tournament.

How did plans to modernize Stadio Luigi Ferraris come about?

Even before Italy was awarded co-host status for the European Championships, Genoa began making efforts to have the Stadio Luigi Ferraris among the venues for the tournament.

The city began working with the clubs, and architect Hembert Penaranda, founder of Officina Architetti, was given the task of developing a concept for modernizing the stadium. The first rendering and preliminary information on the planned redevelopment appeared in the media in late 2023.

In the months that followed, further preparations were made behind the scenes. In September 2024, it was announced that Genoa CFC and Sampdoria would form a partnership that would offer the city to buy the stadium and then handle its renovation.

Sampdoria eventually withdrew from the venture due to its own problems, and Genoa CFC prepared an offer in conjunction with the Oak View Group, which was presented to the city in October 2024. Part of that offer was a stadium renovation project that Officina Architetti was working on – new renderings were also shown on that occasion and more details were provided.

At the same time, the city received an alternative offer from the private company CDS Holding, which also planned to renovate the stadium, according to a different concept by architect Stefano Boeri.

What did the Stadio Luigi Ferraris modernization project, prepared by Officina Architetti, entail?

The project called for maintaining the stadium's capacity at 33,000 seats. Changes were to include raising the towers and covering them with glass, bringing the staircases outside or creating new glass boxes.

The changes were to be implemented in stages over four years (2025–2028), with continued operation of the stadium. The project was expected to cost around €100 million to complete.

Will the Stadio Luigi Ferraris modernization project, prepared by Officina Architetti, be implemented?

In January 2025, the clubs reached an agreement with CDS Holding, which was behind an alternative concept presented in October 2024. Together, the entities are to form a new company, with CDS Holding owning 80% of the shares, and Genoa CFC and Sampdoria each owning 10%.

It has also been agreed that the stadium modernization project will be prepared by architectural firm Stefano Boeri, with whom CDS Holding has previously worked. The final design is expected to be presented in September 2025, with the redevelopment to begin in the summer of 2026 and be completed in 2029.

New plans for the modernization of Stadio Luigi Ferraris by Stefano Boeri Architetti can be seen on a separate subpage