Gianpiero Calzolari says Bologna stadium hinges on fairground deal

Gianpiero Calzolari, president of BolognaFiere, told Il Corriere in a Bologna edition that the new Bologna stadium will be built on the city’s fairground area, with a definitive approval expected by autumn and detailed design work in the next phase scheduled for 2027.

The scheme is now taking shape in the Fiera district, where the stadium will sit beside existing tram stops, highway exits and parking structures. This positioning guarantees continuous use of the venue and prevents a financial drain on the club’s balance sheet.

Calzolari explained that no club in the world can sustain a stadium that hosts a match only every fifteen days. He stressed the necessity of a multifunctional arena capable of generating regular revenue.

Bologna FC has driven the initiative, linking the stadium deadline to the Euro 2032 calendar and seeking access to public funds earmarked for the continental tournament.

Designers must deliver a preliminary solution between August and September, with final approval slated before autumn. The 2027 phase will focus on executive design, and the arena must accommodate at least 32,000 seats for the European Championships.

Cost estimates have risen to a range of €250 million to €300 million, above the earlier €200 million projection for a possible Dall’Ara renovation. Calzolari attributes the increase to the planned multifunctionality, a rise similar to that observed with the Unipol Hall project.

BolognaFiere and Bologna FC each hold a 50 percent stake in the project, but Calzolari is open to additional patient investors. The municipality will provide only a temporary guarantee.

The stadium’s name, structural engineer Massimo Majowiecki and a future architect have yet to be confirmed, while features such as a retractable roof and pitch protection remain under discussion.