Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Stadio Luigi Ferraris — universally known to Genoese fans as Marassi after the working-class district that surrounds it — is the oldest football stadium still in use in Italy and one of European football's most genuinely English-style grounds. Opened in 1911 by the Genoa Cricket and Football Club (Italy's oldest football club, founded by British expats in 1893), the ground holds 33,205 and is the shared home of Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria since 1946. The vertical four-tower stands designed by Vittorio Gregotti in the 1987-89 reconstruction give the stadium its instantly recognisable silhouette and ensure that the crowd sits remarkably close to the pitch — closer than at most Italian grounds and more reminiscent of an English Championship venue.

Located about 3 km north-east of Genoa's medieval port and old town, the Ferraris hosted matches at the 1990 FIFA World Cup including the famous Czechoslovakia vs USA group game and is one of the few Italian stadiums where the running track was permanently removed pre-1990. The Derby della Lanterna — Genoa vs Sampdoria, named after the iconic Genoa lighthouse — is one of football's most intense urban rivalries, played between two clubs that share not only a stadium but a city's working-class maritime identity. With Genoa currently in Serie A and Sampdoria in Serie B for 2025/26, the cohabitation continues even though only one club's matches feature in the top flight. Sampdoria's 1991 Serie A title and 1990 Cup Winners' Cup glory, plus Genoa's nine pre-WWII Scudetti, make the Ferraris one of Italian football's most historically rich venues — comparable in football-cultural importance to San Siro and Stadio Olimpico in Rome, but at a fraction of the scale and with a uniquely English-style intensity.

The stadium was inaugurated on 22 January 1911 with a Genoa CFC vs Internazionale match (4-1 to Internazionale) — making it Italy's oldest football ground still in continuous use. Originally called the Stadio di Marassi after the working-class district, the ground was built by Genoa CFC, Italy's oldest football club (founded 1893 by British shipping merchants and railway engineers, with the name still in English to this day).

Renamed for Luigi Ferraris

In 1933, the stadium was renamed Stadio Luigi Ferraris in honour of the Genoa player and Italy international who died in World War I (killed in action 23 August 1915 on Monte San Michele). His name and dates appear on a memorial plaque at the stadium. Most Genoese still call the ground Marassi in everyday speech.

Sampdoria Moves In

In 1946, the recently founded UC Sampdoria — formed by the merger of Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria — moved in alongside Genoa. The two clubs have shared the ground ever since, with the Derby della Lanterna played twice a season (when both are in the same division) since 1946. The derby takes its name from the Lanterna di Genova, the city's medieval lighthouse that has guided ships into the port since 1128.

The Gregotti Reconstruction (1987-1989)

For the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Ferraris was almost entirely rebuilt to a design by Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti — best known internationally for designing Lisbon's Estádio José Alvalade. The new design swept away the old stands and replaced them with four vertical, towers-and-walls stands enclosing the pitch with no running track. The crowd was placed remarkably close to the pitch in steep stands inspired by English grounds — a deliberate break with the cavernous, athletics-track Italian stadium tradition. The stadium hosted four matches at the 1990 World Cup and was widely praised. Capacity is 33,205 in the modern all-seated configuration.

Sampdoria's Golden Era and Genoa's Historic Glory

Genoa CFC won nine Italian championships before the Second World War (1898, 1899, 1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1915, 1923, 1924) — more than any other club apart from Juventus, AC Milan and Inter. UC Sampdoria's golden era arrived later — the Serie A title in 1991 under Vujadin Boškov with Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli, the 1990 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and a 1992 European Cup final (lost 0-1 to Barcelona at Wembley). Both clubs' European nights at the Ferraris in those years are still cited by Genoese supporters as the city's footballing apex.

Modern Era and Future Plans

Both Genoa and Sampdoria have variously discussed renovating or replacing the Ferraris over the past two decades, but the stadium remains the shared home of both clubs and is owned by the City of Genoa. Renovation discussions intensified in 2024-2025 with both clubs facing UEFA stadium-standard requirements, but no firm timeline has yet emerged. For now, the Marassi continues its 110-plus year run as Italian football's oldest active ground.

How to Get Genoa CFC and Sampdoria Tickets

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

1. Official Club Tickets (Best Value)

Buy directly from each club, depending on which is the home team:

• Genoa CFC: genoacfc.it — general sale opens 2-3 weeks before kickoff
• UC Sampdoria: sampdoria.it — Serie B 2025/26; general sale opens 2-3 weeks before

Prices range from €20 (Gradinata upper corners) to €140+ (Tribuna Centrale premium). Italian rules require nominative tickets with a matching photo ID. Each club's loyalty card unlocks earlier sales windows.

⚠️ Important: The Derby della Lanterna (when both clubs are in the same division) sells out before general sale. Visits from Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma at Genoa home matches also typically sell out.

2. Official Hospitality (Guaranteed Access)

Both clubs offer hospitality at the Ferraris:

• Genoa CFC: Tribuna VIP packages from €180, Sky Box from €400+
• UC Sampdoria: Similar packages from €150-€350+

Book via each club's hospitality desk through their official portal.

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

For sold-out fixtures, established platforms aggregate verified resale:

• LiveFootballTickets — Serie A specialists, from €50
• 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.

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Stadio Ferraris Tour

Both Genoa and Sampdoria operate occasional stadium tours and have their own club museums (Genoa CFC's at the stadium, Sampdoria's at Bogliasco training ground).

What You'll See

• Genoa CFC Museum at the stadium — featuring the nine pre-WWII Italian championships (1898-1924), the British founding, and the modern era
• Sampdoria heritage exhibits including the 1991 Scudetto, the 1990 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1992 European Cup final shirt
• Both home dressing rooms (the visiting team is the away dressing room in the other club's tunnel)
• Pitch-side and dugout access — the Gregotti reconstruction's tight pitch-to-crowd geometry is visible
• Architectural exhibits on the original 1911 stadium and the 1987-89 reconstruction
• Memorial plaque to Luigi Ferraris — the Genoa player and Italy international killed in WWI

Practical Details

• Duration: Approximately 60-90 minutes for the stadium + Genoa museum
• Schedule: Genoa CFC tours typically Saturdays; Sampdoria limited; not on matchdays
• Price: Adults around €15-20 for either club's tour
• Languages: Italian, English
• Accessibility: Improving but partial — confirm in advance

Booking

• GetYourGuide
• Viator
• Direct: genoacfc.it / sampdoria.it

Pro tip: Genoa's footballing heritage is far richer than most visitors realise — combine the stadium tour with the Lanterna di Genova (the medieval lighthouse that gives the derby its name) and the harbour quarter for a complete day.

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Quick Tips

• Bring photo ID: Tickets are nominative
• Derby della Lanterna: Requires both clubs in the same division; check the season schedule
• English-style ground: The pitch-to-crowd intimacy is unique in Italy — worth seeking out
• Combine with Genoa food culture: Pesto, focaccia, farinata and seafood — the city is a serious gastronomic destination

Best Seats at Stadio Luigi Ferraris

The Ferraris is a tight bowl of four vertical stands with no curve, no track and no overlapping rings — Gregotti's design placed each side as a single stand running the full length of the pitch. The Gradinata Nord (north end, home of the Genoa ultras), Gradinata Sud (south end, home of the Sampdoria ultras), Tribuna (west long side) and Distinti (east long side). Central sections of the Tribuna offer the best balance.

Gradinata Nord (North End)

Historic home of the Genoa ultras when Genoa is the home team. The Gradinata Nord houses the famous Fossa dei Grifoni and other longstanding Genoa supporter groups. Loud, choreographed, vertical. Prices typically €25-45 for Serie A. The atmosphere is exceptional — Genoa's ultras culture is one of Italy's oldest and most respected.

Gradinata Sud (South End)

The opposite end, home of the Sampdoria ultras (Tito Cucchiaroni and others) when Sampdoria is the home team. With Sampdoria in Serie B for 2025/26, this section is used only by Genoa for the upcoming season. Prices €25-45 when Sampdoria is home.

Tribuna (Long Side, West)

The Tribuna runs along the west long side with the dressing room tunnel below. Sections include 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 and offers the best architectural views with the four-tower geometry visible.

Distinti (Long Side, East)

The Distinti is the opposite long side. Sections Distinti Centrale and Distinti Laterale. Pricing €45-85. Slightly less iconic but excellent views.

Premium & Hospitality

Both Genoa and Sampdoria offer hospitality in the Tribuna VIP and Sky Box sections. Packages start around €180 (Genoa, with Sampdoria similar) and exceed €400 for Champions League/Europa League nights and the Derby della Lanterna. Book via each club's hospitality desk.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible seating with companion seats. Lift access between levels following the 1987-89 reconstruction. Contact the home club's accessibility team in advance.

Pro Tips

• Best atmosphere: Gradinata Nord (Genoa home) or Gradinata Sud (Sampdoria home) — both are vertical, intimate and loud
• Best balance: Tribuna Centrale, Lower Tier
• Best photographs: Distinti upper, looking back toward the Lanterna in the distance
• Away fans: Allocated section in the opposite end
• Derby della Lanterna: Tickets sell out instantly to members; hospitality is the realistic route
• English-style intimacy: The pitch is closer than at any other Italian Serie A ground — a unique experience worth seeking out

A matchday at the Ferraris is one of European football's most distinctive experiences — a tight English-style ground tucked into the working-class Marassi district of Genoa, with the medieval port and the centro storico a short walk south and the Mediterranean a few miles further on.

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; for the Derby della Lanterna, 90 minutes.

Pre-Match (2-3 hours before)

The matchday gathers around Via Donghi, Via Acquarone and the Piazza Galileo Ferraris just outside the stadium — narrow streets packed with bars and pizzerie. Try Pizzeria Marassi (cheap and excellent), Bar Trattoria Caffini for matchday aperitivo, or any of the small focaccerie selling focaccia genovese (the local flatbread, often topped with sage or onion) and farinata (chickpea-flour pancake). Many fans walk down from the centro storico — about 25 minutes through the medieval streets — stopping at Antica Sciamadda for traditional Ligurian street food. The walk along Via XX Settembre is one of Italy's great matchday traditions, a wide 19th-century boulevard lined with restaurants and bars.

Inside the Stadium

Gates open roughly 90 minutes before kickoff. The first sight from the upper Tribuna is striking — the four vertical tower stands enclosing the pitch with no curve, the crowd packed in closer than at any other Serie A ground. Pre-match anthems include the iconic 'Genoa Genoa' chant, the 'Inno del Genoa' by Tony Renis, and for Sampdoria home matches 'Lettera da Amsterdam' (commemorating the 1992 European Cup final loss). The Gradinata Nord leads relentless singing for Genoa matches, the Gradinata Sud for Sampdoria — Genoese ultras culture is among Italy's most knowledgeable and politically engaged.

Food & Drink

Concession kiosks sell Ligurian matchday fare — focaccia genovese, farinata di ceci, panini con prosciutto (the local Salame Sant'Olcese is excellent), trofie al pesto in winter, plus Birra Moretti and local Birra Maltus Faber. Prices reasonable (around €5-7). Hospitality areas offer Ligurian tasting menus with pesto alla genovese and Cinque Terre wines.

After the Match

Post-match crowds funnel toward Genova Brignole railway station (5 minutes' walk) and the bus interchange. Allow 15-20 minutes for crowds to clear. The city centre stays lively until late — the caruggi (narrow medieval alleyways) of central Genoa house excellent late-night trattorias, with Trattoria Sa Pesta and Antica Cantina I Tre Merli Marina highly recommended for traditional Ligurian cuisine. The Marassi district itself stays animated post-match.

International Visitor Tips: Italian rules require nominative tickets matched to a photo ID. Combine the matchday with Genoa's UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli (palaces of the medieval aristocracy along Via Garibaldi), the Aquarium of Genoa (the largest in Europe), and seafood at the harbour. Genoa is one of Italy's most underrated football tourism destinations — the city's Mediterranean trading-republic heritage, the medieval old town, the focaccia and pesto culture, plus 110+ years of football at the Ferraris.

Where to Stay for Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Near the Stadium (Marassi)

Search hotels near the Ferraris

The Marassi district is densely residential with limited tourist accommodation. Most visitors stay in central Genoa near Piazza De Ferrari or the harbour.

B&B Hotel Genova City Center (1.0 km)

Mid-range chain at Brignole station — direct walking distance to the stadium (5 minutes) and excellent transport connections to central Genoa. Modern rooms, reliable Wi-Fi. Practical pick for matchday weekends.

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Genoa Centre (Recommended)

Search hotels in central Genoa

For most visitors, central Genoa around Piazza De Ferrari, Via Garibaldi (the UNESCO Palazzi dei Rolli) or Porto Antico is the better choice — walking distance to the medieval centre, the harbour, the aquarium and Genoa's famous focaccerie and trattorias, with a 25-30 minute walk or short bus/train to the stadium.

Grand Hotel Savoia (Brignole, 0.5 km)

Five-star landmark hotel directly outside Brignole railway station and walking distance to the stadium. Classic Genoese grand-hotel ambience, excellent service, central position. The premier matchday base for Ferraris visits.

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NH Collection Genova Marina (Porto Antico, 3.5 km)

Four-star design hotel on the marina with views of the medieval port and the Lanterna. Excellent restaurant and rooftop bar. Walking distance to the harbour, the aquarium and the Palazzi dei Rolli.

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Hotel Cairoli (centro storico, 2.5 km)

Four-star in the medieval centro storico near Via Garibaldi. Atmospheric base for exploring the UNESCO Palazzi dei Rolli and the medieval caruggi. 25-30 minutes' walk to the stadium.

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Our Recommendation

For most visitors, the Grand Hotel Savoia at Brignole offers the best matchday-to-tourism balance — directly outside the station, walking distance to the stadium and an easy train or bus into the medieval centre. For longer stays focused on Genoa's wider tourism offering, the Porto Antico or centro storico hotels deliver a more atmospheric experience, with the matchday train from Brignole taking minutes. The Marassi district itself is residential and quieter outside matchdays.