Preparations for the Olympics are one thing, but during Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini’s visit to Verona, most attention went to the future of Stadio Bentegodi. The minister toured the arena with Mayor Damiano Tommasi and Deputy Minister of Culture Gian Marco Mazzie.

Mayor’s costly calculations…

Tommasi didn’t mince words: if the government doesn’t increase spending on Italian stadiums, not only in Verona, the country risks losing the chance to host Euro 2032. He stressed that football clubs — including Hellas — neither have the development mandate nor the funds to handle such investments alone. For him, the state should shoulder a larger share of the financial responsibility.

Previously, around €200 million in government support was discussed for all planned stadium investments across Italy. But just the Stadio Olimpico in Rome would need half of that. Tommasi also presented first-time estimates for Bentegodi: a fully modern, year-round arena for sports, concerts, and events would cost €10,000–€12,000 per seat. That means a 10,000-seat stadium would require roughly €100 million, and a 30,000-seat venue around €300 million. A traditional football-only stadium would be cheaper, but — according to the mayor — it wouldn’t make sense in Verona, where the old Bentegodi already exists.

© Steffen Hüther

…and a radical proposal for the future

Hellas is proposing a radical solution, which Tommasi considers the best: demolish the current Bentegodi and build a new stadium on the same site. According to him, renovation would be more expensive, less safe, and would limit the venue’s functionality. The main challenge remains financing. The city lacks the funds and emphasizes that the project must come at no cost to municipal coffers. The club’s involvement is positive, especially since previous proposals didn’t include such commitment. But until a large-scale institutional investor steps in, the project is economically unrealistic — and this applies not only to Verona, but also to Bologna, Florence, and other cities.

Minister Salvini confirmed he shares Tommasi’s general position. He said that once a stadium commissioner is appointed, he will invite them to Rome along with the mayors to coordinate responsibilities and technical support from the Ministry of Infrastructure. Financing remains unclear, but political willingness to cooperate is evident.

© MM Groundhopping

Hellas Verona moves forward

Meanwhile, Hellas Verona has taken concrete steps: the club submitted a feasibility study for a new stadium to the city authorities. The document was prepared by HV1903 LLC, a company created specifically to manage the investment. According to the club, the project aligns with FIGC and UEFA schedules for Euro 2032 — an event Hellas calls an opportunity for both Verona and Italy as a whole.

Club officials underline that the investment is ambitious and aims to deliver a stadium meeting modern standards. The new Bentegodi would hold around 32,000 spectators, operate seven days a week, and host sports, concerts, and conferences. During construction, the team would temporarily relocate to a stadium within the city with a minimum 15,000-seat capacity.

© Hellas Verona FC

What support could the club receive?

Details of Hellas’ plan remain largely undisclosed, but one thing is clear: it will not be cheap. Unofficial estimates point to a minimum of €160 million under the most basic assumptions, implying a significant public contribution. A new subsidiary of the club will lead negotiations with investment partners.

Hellas’ sudden move surprised two investor groups that had previously submitted proposals. One even had backing from Middle Eastern funds and experience with large projects in Qatar, Oman, and stadium redevelopments in Barcelona and Florence. Now the situation also complicates the work of the Ministry of Sport, which until now considered renovation — not rebuilding from scratch — the more likely scenario.