Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi

The Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, the eighth-largest stadium in Italy with a capacity of 39,211, is the home of Hellas Verona since opening in 1963 and was for 35 years (1986-2021) shared with ChievoVerona before Chievo's dissolution. Named after the 19th-century Veronese philanthropist Marcantonio Bentegodi — who left a substantial bequest 'for sport in Verona' that ultimately financed the ground — the stadium sits in the Borgo Milano district about 3 km west of Verona's Roman amphitheatre (the Arena di Verona, the city's other great venue). Major renovations for the 1990 FIFA World Cup added a second tier and the distinctive cantilevered roof that gives the Bentegodi its modern silhouette and ensures protection across all sections.

Hellas Verona's place in Italian football folklore was sealed by the unforgettable 1984/85 Scudetto under Osvaldo Bagnoli — one of the great underdog titles of European football, won by a club from a city better known for Romeo and Juliet than for elite football. That season's home matches at the Bentegodi remain among Italian football's most romantic memories. Verona's gialloblù colours, the Curva Sud ultras, and the city's classical-music summers in the nearby Arena make this one of Italian football's most rewarding lesser-known destinations — comparable in character to Stadio Olimpico in Rome for its 1990 World Cup pedigree but on an entirely different cultural axis.

The stadium opened on 15 December 1963 as the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, the only major Italian ground to have kept the same name since opening. The stadium was funded in significant part by the 19th-century bequest of Marcantonio Bentegodi, a Veronese philanthropist whose will earmarked funds 'for sport in Verona'. The original ground was a simple bowl with a running track — typical of 1960s Italian municipal stadiums.

The Bagnoli Era and the 1985 Scudetto

The Bentegodi's central place in Italian football was secured in the mid-1980s under coach Osvaldo Bagnoli, when Hellas Verona astonished European football by winning the 1984/85 Serie A title. Verona — a provincial club without significant prior honours — beat Milan, Inter, Juventus and Napoli (in Maradona's first season) to the Scudetto in one of the great underdog stories of football. Players including Hans-Peter Briegel, Preben Elkjær Larsen and Domenico Volpati turned the Bentegodi into an unlikely citadel. The following season, Verona played Champions League opposition at home in front of capacity crowds.

The 1990 World Cup Transformation

For the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Bentegodi was substantially expanded. A second tier was added across all four stands, and a full cantilevered roof was constructed covering every seat — unusual at the time for Italian stadiums. The capacity was reconfigured to all-seated at approximately the modern figure. The ground hosted three group-stage matches at the tournament including Belgium vs Uruguay and Spain vs South Korea.

The ChievoVerona Era and the Bentegodi as Shared Ground

From 1986 to 2021, the Bentegodi was shared with ChievoVerona — Verona's second club, who rose from amateur leagues to Serie A by the late 1990s and remained a top-flight presence through most of the 2000s and 2010s. The Derby della Scala (Verona's city derby, named after the medieval Scaligeri family) was a regular Serie A fixture. Chievo's dissolution in 2021 ended the cohabitation, returning the Bentegodi to Hellas Verona's sole use.

Modern Era

A 2009 solar photovoltaic installation made the Bentegodi one of Italy's most sustainable major stadia. Hellas Verona have largely been a stable Serie A club through the 2010s and 2020s with occasional relegation scares, maintaining the gialloblù colours and the famous Curva Sud ultras culture.

How to Get Hellas Verona Tickets

There are three main ways to attend a match at the Bentegodi:

1. Official Club Tickets (Best Value)

Buy directly from hellasverona.it — general sale typically opens 2-3 weeks before kickoff. Prices range from €25 (Curva upper corners) to €130+ (Tribuna Centrale premium). Italian rules require nominative tickets with a matching photo ID. Verona membership unlocks earlier sales windows.

⚠️ Important: Visits from Inter, Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Roma sell out before general sale.

2. Official Hospitality (Guaranteed Access)

Hellas Verona hospitality at the Bentegodi:

• Tribuna VIP — central premium with pre/post-match Veneto dining, from €180
• Sky Box — private suite for groups, from €400+ per person
• Premium Tribuna Centrale — central lower-tier with hospitality access, from €220

Book via the Hellas Verona hospitality desk through the official portal.

3. Third-Party Platforms (Sold-Out Matches)

For sold-out fixtures:

• LiveFootballTickets — Serie A specialists, from €60
• SeatPick — comparison platform

⚠️ Note: Italian nominative-ticket rules mean some resale tickets cannot be legally transferred. Verify the seller can re-issue in your name.

Stadio Bentegodi Tour

Hellas Verona offers occasional stadium tours focused on the 1985 Scudetto and the 1990 World Cup heritage.

What You'll See

• 1984/85 Scudetto exhibits — Hellas Verona's iconic underdog title under Osvaldo Bagnoli
• 1990 World Cup heritage — the architectural transformation that gave the Bentegodi its modern roof and second tier
• Home dressing room and tunnel
• Pitch-side and dugout access
• Architectural exhibits on the original 1963 design and 1990 expansion

Practical Details

• Duration: Approximately 60-75 minutes
• Schedule: Limited; typically Saturdays
• Price: Adults around €15-20
• Languages: Italian, English

Booking

• GetYourGuide
• Viator
• Direct: hellasverona.it

Pro tip: Combine the matchday with the Arena di Verona opera season (June-August) — the Roman amphitheatre hosts world-class opera and is 30 minutes' walk from the stadium.

Quick Tips

• Bring photo ID: Tickets are nominative
• Combine with Verona: UNESCO old town, the Arena, Casa di Giulietta, Castelvecchio — all within walking distance
• 1985 Scudetto legacy: Worth understanding Hellas Verona's place in Italian footballing folklore before your visit

Best Seats at Stadio Bentegodi

The ground is a two-tier bowl with the Curva Sud at one end (home of the Hellas Verona ultras), the Curva Nord opposite, the Tribuna along one long side and the Distinti opposite. Central sections of the Tribuna offer the best balance.

Curva Sud (South End)

Historic home of the Hellas Verona ultras — the Curva Sud Verona group has been one of Italy's most political and active since the 1970s. Loud, choreographed, behind the goal. Prices typically €25-45 for Serie A. Atmosphere is exceptional.

Curva Nord (North End)

The opposite curve, traditionally allocated to away teams and additional Hellas supporters. Prices €25-40. The away allocation typically sits in the upper section.

Tribuna (Long Side, West)

The Tribuna runs along the west long side with the dressing room tunnel below. Includes Tribuna Centrale (premium central) and Tribuna Laterale (wings). Pricing €55-100 (Lower Tier central), €40-80 (Upper Tier), with central sections most expensive. The Tribuna is the focal point of TV cameras.

Distinti (Long Side, East)

The Distinti is the opposite long side. Pricing €40-80. Slightly more affordable than the Tribuna.

Premium & Hospitality

Hellas Verona offers hospitality in the Tribuna VIP and Sky Box sections. Packages start around €180 and exceed €400 for visits from Inter, Milan, Juventus and Napoli. Book via the club hospitality desk.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible seating with companion seats. Lift access between levels following the 1990 reconstruction. Contact Hellas Verona accessibility in advance.

Pro Tips

• Best atmosphere: Curva Sud lower tier
• Best balance: Tribuna Centrale, Lower Tier — the cantilevered 1990 roof is impressive overhead
• Best photographs: Distinti upper looking across
• Away fans: Curva Nord upper
• Big matches: Visits from Inter, Milan, Juventus, Napoli or the Derby della Scala (when both Verona clubs are in the same division) sell out fast

A matchday at the Bentegodi is one of Italy's most accessible football experiences — a substantial 1990 World Cup-era ground in a manageable provincial city, with Verona's UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre, Romeo and Juliet's Casa di Giulietta and excellent Veneto food just a short walk or bus ride away.

What to Bring

Standard Italian league security. Bags larger than A4 (21cm × 30cm) are not permitted; small handbags and rucksacks are subject to search. Prohibited items include large backpacks, umbrellas with rigid handles, professional cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, flares, glass and outside food/drink. Italian regulations require nominative tickets matched to a photo ID. Arrive 45-60 minutes before kickoff.

Pre-Match (2-3 hours before)

The matchday gathers around the Borgo Milano district just outside the stadium and the broader Verona city centre. Bars and trattorias along Via Mancalacqua, Via Maddalena Garavaglia and the Piazzale Olimpia fill with gialloblù-clad supporters. Try Trattoria al Pompiere for traditional Veronese cuisine, Antica Bottega del Vino for an aperitivo with local Valpolicella wines, or any of the small kiosks selling gnocchi di patate (Verona's claim to invented the dish) and panini con bollito misto. Many fans walk from central Verona — about 30 minutes via the Adige river and the Castelvecchio — passing the Arena and Casa di Giulietta along the way.

Inside the Stadium

Gates open roughly 90 minutes before kickoff. The cantilevered 1990 roof is striking overhead. Pre-match anthems include the iconic 'Hellas Hellas Hellas', 'Verona Verona' and 'Gialloblù'. The Curva Sud leads relentless singing — Verona's tifo culture is among Italy's most politically engaged and historically important.

Food & Drink

Concession kiosks sell Veneto matchday fare — panini con porchetta, piadine, bollito misto in winter, plus Birra Moretti and Peroni. Prices reasonable (around €5-7). Hospitality areas offer Veronese tasting menus with Amarone della Valpolicella wines.

After the Match

Post-match crowds funnel toward the centre via Corso Milano and the bus interchange. Allow 15-20 minutes for crowds to clear. The Verona centro storico stays animated until late — Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Bra (next to the Arena) are excellent for post-match dinner and aperitivo, with countless trattorias serving traditional Veneto cuisine.

International Visitor Tips: Italian rules require nominative tickets matched to a photo ID. Combine the matchday with Verona's UNESCO old town — the Arena di Verona (the Roman amphitheatre, famous for opera in summer), Casa di Giulietta (Shakespeare's fictional balcony), the Castelvecchio and the Duomo. Verona is one of Italy's most rewarding small-city football destinations.

Where to Stay for Stadio Bentegodi

Near the Stadium (Borgo Milano)

Search hotels near the Bentegodi

Borgo Milano is residential and quieter than central Verona. Most visitors stay in the centro storico for the food, architecture and atmosphere.

Hotel Veronesi La Torre (Borgo Milano, 1.5 km)

Four-star with rooftop pool, walking distance to the stadium. Comfortable rooms, good restaurant. Practical pick for match-focused trips.

Verona Centro Storico (Recommended)

Search hotels in central Verona

For most visitors, central Verona around Piazza Bra (next to the Arena), Piazza delle Erbe or Castelvecchio is the better choice — walking distance to the Roman amphitheatre, Casa di Giulietta and the medieval old town.

Due Torri Hotel (Piazza Sant'Anastasia, 3 km)

Five-star in a converted 14th-century palace next to the medieval Basilica di Sant'Anastasia. The benchmark luxury option in Verona — Mozart, Goethe and Mary Shelley have stayed here.

Hotel Accademia (centro storico, 3 km)

Four-star in a beautifully converted historic building near Piazza delle Erbe. Excellent location for combining football with Verona's tourism. Walking distance to the Arena.

Palazzo Victoria (Piazza Bra, 3.5 km)

Five-star on Piazza Bra opposite the Arena — the most atmospheric base in Verona. Excellent service, rooftop bar with views of the Arena, walking distance to the centro storico.

Our Recommendation

For most visitors, stay in central Verona — the UNESCO old town is one of Italy's most beautiful and the Bentegodi is an easy bus or pleasant walk away. Stadium-area Borgo Milano hotels make sense only for purely match-focused trips. Verona pairs naturally with Venice, Milan or Bologna for multi-city Italian football tours.