After months of stagnation, the new stadium project for Cagliari is once again gaining momentum. Despite a path riddled with delays, complications, and administrative pitfalls, recent developments offer hope for a breakthrough.

Cagliari’s bureaucratic odyssey

The journey toward building a new stadium for Cagliari has resembled a maze with shifting walls—every step forward was followed by an unexpected setback. Although the project sparked excitement among fans and local authorities, its progress remained bogged down. The main obstacle wasn't public opposition or lack of funding, but an overwhelming web of administrative red tape—thicker than the Sardinian team's defensive line.

For the past three months, the entire process was on hold due to missing environmental documentation. Without this, the Regional Services Conference was unable to proceed with the Environmental Impact Assessment—a crucial piece of the bureaucratic puzzle.

© Cagliari Calcio

Documents finally submitted

Fortunately, a breakthrough has been achieved. The planning team has now submitted the final required documents to the Regional Environmental Department. As noted by sports councillor Giuseppe Macciotta, the formal process—reinitiated in December 2024 as part of a program agreement between the city and region—is once again active. If no further issues arise, the environmental approval (known as PAUR) should be granted by the end of July.

Approval of the environmental documentation will allow for the start of the executive design phase, which is essential for construction to begin. This is a long-awaited milestone—the discussions about the new stadium date back over five years, with initial concepts surfacing even before the pandemic.

Renderings of the planned venue depict a modern, functional stadium built to meet international standards. Commenting on the project, Antonio Romei, legal advisor to Cagliari Calcio, emphasized its importance during the Serie A Festival in Parma: Having a stadium means having a home where you can deliver a better product and, above all, live the passion. Football will continue as long as the fans’ passion exists, and protecting that passion must be the priority of everyone working in this industry.

Romei also addressed a broader issue: the lack of a sustainable financial model in football. In his view, clubs often operate under pressure from expectations, which leads to risky decisions and structural instability.

© Cagliari Calcio

From temporary ground to UEFA Euro 2032?

Cagliari Calcio hosts its home matches since 2017 at a temporary stadium built next to the former Stadio Sant’Elia. While it serves its purpose, it’s widely acknowledged as a short-term solution. The club, city authorities, and local residents are all eagerly awaiting a permanent, modern home.

The new stadium may also serve as a gateway to greater international visibility. Cagliari is vying to host matches during the UEFA Euro 2032 tournament. While competition is fierce, having a state-of-the-art venue that meets UEFA’s requirements would greatly enhance the city’s chances of being selected as one of the host locations for this prestigious event.