The modernised Arena Garibaldi will be ready for the start of the Serie A season. The stadium is undergoing intensive renovation work, scheduled to finish just before the Nerazzurri return to the top flight.

Modernisation under time pressure

Renovation works at Arena Garibaldi began on 3 June and have been progressing according to an ambitious 75-day schedule from the outset. Mayor Michele Conti personally visited the construction site on 30 July to verify the progress. We wanted to personally assess the progress, said the mayor, and I can confirm that the works are proceeding regularly and with consistent commitment. Workers are operating seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays, to meet the deadlines.

Both the city and the club are aware of the difficulties posed by mid-August – known as Ferragosto – when many operations in Italy come to a halt. That’s why all necessary materials were delivered to the site in advance to avoid delays.

Everything is on track for the arena to be ready by 17 August – right on time for the season opener scheduled for 30 August. Pisa will host Roma, and the match is expected to be attended by over eleven thousand spectators.

Key stages and new capacity

The main works include the installation of new seats on the Curva Sud, construction of a new tunnel connecting the locker rooms to the pitch, and completion of the sector partitions.

The new approved capacity of Arena Garibaldi is 12,508 seats, precisely distributed among the various stadium sectors. The covered stand will hold a total of 2,746 people – 1,264 seats on the lower tier and 1,482 on the upper tier. The north stand is planned to accommodate 3,880 spectators, while the Gradinata stand will seat 3,050. The south stand has been divided – 1,732 seats are allocated to Pisa fans, and 1,100 to away supporters.

A novelty are the modern pitch-side boxes located at the base of the covered stand, including 16 places for disabled spectators and their companions. New lighting towers and top-class LED lighting – compliant with Lega Serie A requirements – are also being installed.

At the same time, the interior areas of the stadium are being upgraded – including the press conference room, mixed zone, gym, and a television production centre covering about 600 m².

© Luca Aless (cc: by-sa)

Key inspection and green light

On 5 August, one of the initial inspections was carried out by the Provincial Commission for the Supervision of Public Entertainment Venues. Its role is to assess the progress and issue a preliminary technical opinion, allowing for final adjustments before the ultimate certification.

Further key inspections will be held on 14 and 17 August – these will determine whether Pisa can host their first home game of the season at the renovated stadium without any issues.

© Miguelftorres (cc: by-sa)

Stability until 2031

Alongside the construction work, the legal matters regarding the use of the stadium have also been finalised. On 30 July, the city authorities signed a lease agreement with Pisa Sporting Club, valid until 2031. Under the agreement, the club will pay €111,000 plus VAT for the 2025/26 season. From 2026 onwards, the annual rent will rise to €187,500. In the event of relegation to Serie B, the fee will be reduced to €125,000 per year.

The agreement covers the use of the stadium by the first team, youth squads, and other club-related activities. It also allows for non-football events to be held – subject to city approval. The city has also reserved the right to use the stadium free of charge for up to five days per year.