The plan to build AS Roma’s new stadium in the Pietralata district of Rome is gathering momentum. The venue has just been included – alongside the Stadio Olimpico – on the preliminary list of thirteen Italian stadiums shortlisted to host matches at Euro 2032.

Commissioner to cut through bureaucracy

The move is significant: the project has been declared one of national strategic importance, meaning a government-appointed commissioner will now oversee its execution. Engineer Massimo Sessa has been named to the post, with special powers aimed at speeding up both the administrative and construction phases.

The goal is clear — by September 2026, Italy must present UEFA with five fully approved venues. Rome finds itself in a unique position, being the only Italian city with two strong bids: Pietralata and the Stadio Olimpico. According to Il Messaggero, mayor Roberto Gualtieri will serve as deputy commissioner in the capital.

For Roma’s American owners, the Friedkin brothers, this marks a real turning point. The appointment of a commissioner gives the project a fast track, allowing it to bypass much of the red tape that has bogged down preparations for months. Administrative reviews could now be shortened from several months to just 15–30 days, while the commissioner will also be able to chair inter-agency meetings directly — a move expected to eliminate many delays. The only constraints will remain anti-mafia rules, so-called golden power protections, and EU regulations. In practical terms, it’s a full green light for the Pietralata project.

© AS Roma

Deadlines and challenges

Time, however, is tight. The key deadline is July 2026, by which the project must be fully approved and financed. The club plans to deliver the final version of its proposal to Rome’s city hall by the end of 2025. So far, the process has been slowed by several administrative court appeals — all dismissed — concerning a nearby woodland area at the proposed site. Those disputes delayed archaeological and preparatory works, which have yet to officially begin.