Stadio Artemio Franchi

Stadio Artemio Franchi is one of football's great architectural landmarks — designed in 1931 by the engineer Pier Luigi Nervi as a daring early experiment in reinforced concrete, and now protected as a piece of 20th-century Italian heritage. Home to ACF Fiorentina since opening, the ground holds 47,282 and is instantly identifiable by its three pioneering features: the Tower of Marathon (a 70-metre spiral-ramp campanile rising over one corner), the cantilevered Tribuna Maratona roof, and the curving D-shaped helical staircases of the Curva Fiesole. The stadium was placed under heritage protection by the Italian Ministry of Culture in 1991, and any renovation must respect Nervi's original concrete forms — a constraint that has framed every reconstruction debate since the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Located in the Campo di Marte district about 2 km north-east of Florence's Duomo, the Franchi has hosted matches at the 1934 and 1990 World Cups, Italy national team fixtures, and Fiorentina's modern European campaigns including the UEFA Conference League finals of 2023 and 2024. A €170m phased modernisation is currently underway (2023-2026) covering pitch, stands and accessibility while preserving the listed concrete elements — Fiorentina played the 2024/25 season partially relocated as construction progressed. With Florence itself one of football tourism's most rewarding destinations, the Franchi remains a singular pilgrimage among Italian grounds, comparable in architectural importance to Stadio Olimpico in Rome and historically to San Siro but with a unique modernist identity.

Construction of what was then called the Stadio Giovanni Berta began in 1930 to a design by Pier Luigi Nervi, the engineer who would become one of the 20th century's most influential figures in reinforced-concrete architecture. The ground opened on 13 September 1931 with a Fiorentina vs Admira Wien match (1-0 to the Austrians) and quickly became famous for its three architectural firsts.

Nervi's Architectural Innovations

Three elements made the Franchi a global reference point in stadium design. The Tower of Marathon (Torre di Maratona) is a 70-metre campanile housing spiral access ramps to the upper grandstand — pure functional sculpture in concrete. The Tribuna Maratona cantilevered roof was, at the time, one of the longest cantilevers ever built in reinforced concrete. And the helical staircases of the Curva Fiesole — sinuous double-helix forms — turned circulation into architecture. The combination won the stadium a place in every history of modern construction.

Renamings and World Cup Heritage

The stadium was renamed Stadio Comunale in 1945 after the fall of the Fascist regime (Berta had been a Fascist 'martyr'), and again in 1991 to Stadio Artemio Franchi in honour of the late Italian football federation president and UEFA leader. The Franchi hosted three matches at the 1934 FIFA World Cup — including the replay of the quarter-final between Italy and Spain — and four matches at the 1990 World Cup. For the 1990 tournament the running track was removed and capacity reconfigured to all-seater, reducing the ground from over 60,000 standing to its modern figure.

Modern Era and the Conference League Finals

In the 2010s and 2020s, the Franchi has been Fiorentina's base for memorable European campaigns including the 1989/90 UEFA Cup final (lost 1-3 on aggregate to Juventus), and back-to-back UEFA Conference League finals in 2023 (lost 1-2 to West Ham in Prague) and 2024 (lost 0-1 to Olympiacos in Athens). The crowd's iconic 'La Maledetta Primavera' chant and the Curva Fiesole's tifo culture make matchdays distinctly Florentine.

The Listed-Heritage Renovation Debate and Current Works

Under Italian Ministry of Culture protection, any work on the Franchi must preserve Nervi's concrete elements. After years of debate over whether to renovate or build a new stadium, the City of Florence and Fiorentina agreed in 2022 on a phased €170m renovation: replace seating, modernise hospitality and accessibility, redo the pitch and drainage, and add modern roofing — all while leaving the Tower of Marathon, the cantilevered Maratona roof and the Curva Fiesole helical staircases untouched. The first phase began in 2023 and is targeted for completion in 2026.

How to Get ACF Fiorentina Tickets

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

1. Official Club Tickets (Best Value)

Buy directly from acffiorentina.com — general sale typically opens 2-3 weeks before kickoff. Prices range from €25 (Curva Ferrovia upper) to €150+ (Tribuna Maratona/Coperta premium). Italian rules require nominative tickets with a matching photo ID. The 'Viola Club' loyalty card unlocks earlier sales windows.

⚠️ Important: Visits from Juventus, Inter, Milan, Roma/Lazio and Napoli, plus Conference/Europa League knockouts, sell out before general sale.

2. Official Hospitality (Guaranteed Access)

ACF Fiorentina hospitality at the Franchi includes:

• Tribuna VIP — central premium with pre/post-match dining, from €180
• Sky Box — private suite for groups, from €400+ per person
• Tribuna Maratona Premium — central lateral with the cantilever roof above, from €220

Book via the Fiorentina hospitality desk through the official portal.

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

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

• LiveFootballTickets — Serie A specialists, from €70
• 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 Franchi Tour

Fiorentina offers occasional stadium tours, particularly around the Campo di Marte renovation viewpoint. The tour offering has been variable during the 2023-2026 modernisation — check current availability with the club.

What You'll See (when available)

• Tower of Marathon — climb the spiral ramps to the top for panoramic views over Florence
• Tribuna Maratona under Nervi's cantilevered concrete roof
• Home dressing room and tunnel
• Pitch-side and dugout access
• Architectural exhibits on Pier Luigi Nervi's design innovations
• Trophy area including the Coppa Italia (1940, 1961, 1966, 1975, 2001) and Cup Winners' Cup (1961) silverware

Practical Details

• Duration: When offered, approximately 60-75 minutes
• Schedule: Limited availability during the renovation; full tours expected to resume late 2026
• Price: Adults around €15-20
• Languages: Italian, English
• Accessibility: Improving with the ongoing renovation

Booking

• GetYourGuide — when offered, combined with city walks
• Viator
• Direct: acffiorentina.com

Pro tip: Even without a tour, the stadium perimeter is publicly accessible — you can photograph the Tower of Marathon and the cantilevered roof from outside. Worth a 20-minute walk if you're an architecture fan in Florence.

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Quick Tips

• Bring photo ID: Tickets are nominative; mismatched names will be refused
• Renovation impact: Tour availability and some seating sections shift through 2026; check before booking
• Combine with Florence: No matchday in Italy combines better with a city visit
• Curva Fiesole: The architecture and atmosphere combine best from the upper Tribuna Maratona looking toward the curve

Best Seats at Stadio Artemio Franchi

The Franchi is a single-tier bowl with the Curva Fiesole at one end (north), the Curva Ferrovia at the other (south), the Tribuna Maratona along one long side (east, with the cantilevered roof) and the Tribuna Coperta opposite. Central sections of the Tribuna Maratona offer the best balance of view, atmosphere and price.

Curva Fiesole (North End)

Historic home of the Fiorentina ultras — the Collettivo Autonomo Viola has led singing here since the 1960s. Curva Fiesole is the loudest section, with elaborate tifos for derbies and European nights. Prices typically €30-50 for Serie A. Sightlines are behind the goal but the atmosphere is unmatched.

Curva Ferrovia (South End)

The opposite curve, traditionally allocated to the away team and additional Fiorentina supporters. Quieter than the Curva Fiesole. Prices €25-40. The away allocation typically sits in the upper section here.

Tribuna Maratona (Long Side, East)

The Tribuna Maratona runs along the east long side, sheltered by Nervi's iconic cantilevered concrete roof and overlooked by the Tower of Marathon. Best views of the pitch — and the architecture. Pricing roughly €50-90 (lower), €40-70 (upper), with central sections most expensive. The Tribuna Maratona is the focal point of TV cameras.

Tribuna Coperta (Long Side, West)

The Tribuna Coperta is the opposite long side, including the dugouts and tunnel. Sections Tribuna Coperta Centrale and Tribuna Coperta Lateral. Pricing similar to Maratona (€45-85). Slightly less iconic architecturally but excellent views.

Premium & Hospitality

Fiorentina offers hospitality in the Tribuna VIP and Sky Box sections of the Tribuna Coperta. Packages start around €180 and exceed €400 for Champions League/Conference League knockouts and Juventus visits. Book via the club's hospitality desk.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available with companion seats in designated sections. The ongoing renovation is specifically modernising accessibility throughout the stadium. Contact ACF Fiorentina accessibility in advance.

Pro Tips

• Best atmosphere: Curva Fiesole lower or upper
• Best balance: Tribuna Maratona central, lower tier — and you get the cantilevered concrete roof above your head
• Best photographs: Tribuna Coperta upper looking back at the Tower of Marathon
• Away fans: Curva Ferrovia upper section
• Renovation note: Sections may be reconfigured as works progress through 2026; check the seating map on violachannel.tv when buying tickets

A matchday at the Franchi is one of football's most architecturally rich experiences — Nervi's concrete forms framing the action and Florence's Renaissance city centre just two kilometres away.

What to Bring

The Franchi follows 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 pre-match ritual centres on the Campo di Marte district. Bars and trattorias along Via Manfredo Fanti, Viale dei Mille and Piazza Alberti fill with viola-clad supporters. Try Trattoria Sostanza (Florence centre, a longer walk but iconic), Antico Vinaio sandwich kiosks (in town), or Bar dei Tifosi for an authentic Florentine pre-match aperitif. Most international visitors take a long lunch in central Florence — Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo is a great spot for matchday food — and then walk or taxi to the stadium. The route on foot from the Duomo (~30 minutes) is one of Italy's most pleasant matchday walks.

Inside the Stadium

Gates open roughly 90 minutes before kickoff. The first sight from the upper Tribuna Maratona is something else — Nervi's concrete cantilever overhead, the Tower of Marathon to your right, the helical staircases of the Curva Fiesole visible in the distance. Pre-match anthems include 'Sulle pendici delle colline a Firenze' (Fiorentina's official hymn) and the iconic 'La Maledetta Primavera'. The Curva Fiesole leads singing throughout matches with 'Forza Viola', 'Bella ciao' variations, and elaborate tifos for derbies against Bologna and Empoli, and for European nights.

Food & Drink

Concession kiosks sell Tuscan matchday fare — schiacciate (Tuscan flatbread sandwiches with cold cuts), panini con porchetta, lampredotto (a Florentine specialty: tripe sandwich, surprisingly excellent), slices of pizza, plus Peroni and local Birra Moretti. Prices reasonable (around €5-7). Hospitality areas offer Tuscan tasting menus with Chianti.

After the Match

Post-match, crowds funnel toward Campo di Marte railway station (3 minutes' walk) and the tram interchange at Piazza Alberti. Allow 15-20 minutes for crowds to clear. For dinner, the San Frediano and Oltrarno districts across the river are lively until late — Trattoria Cammillo, All'Antico Ristoro di Cambi and the Santo Spirito bars are excellent late-night options. Walking back to central Florence post-match on a clear evening is a Florentine ritual.

International Visitor Tips: Italian rules require nominative tickets matched to a photo ID. Combine the matchday with a morning at the Uffizi, Accademia (Michelangelo's David), or the Duomo — pre-book all three weeks ahead. The Franchi is a working football ground, but Nervi's architecture warrants attention before kickoff: arrive early enough to walk around the perimeter and photograph the Tower of Marathon.

Where to Stay for Stadio Franchi

Near the Stadium (Campo di Marte)

Search hotels near the Franchi

The Campo di Marte district is residential and quieter than central Florence. Most international visitors prefer staying in the historic centre, with the matchday walk or train to the stadium taking under 30 minutes.

Hotel Athenaeum (Campo di Marte, 0.8 km)

Four-star within walking distance of the stadium and Campo di Marte rail station. Comfortable rooms, on-site restaurant, parking. A practical pick for match-focused trips.

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Florence Historic Centre (Recommended)

Search hotels in Florence Centre

For most visitors, staying in central Florence around the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria or Santa Maria Novella is the better choice — walking distance to the Uffizi, Accademia, Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno, with a 25-30 minute walk or 5-minute train to the stadium.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (centre, 2 km)

Five-star in a converted Renaissance palace with the largest private gardens in the city. The benchmark luxury option in Florence and easily reachable from the Franchi.

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Hotel Brunelleschi (Duomo, 2 km)

Four-star built around a 6th-century Byzantine tower right next to the Duomo. Atmospheric, central, and a 30-minute walk to the stadium through pleasant streets.

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Hotel L'Orologio (Santa Maria Novella, 1.5 km)

Four-star design hotel near SMN railway station — convenient for both the stadium (one short train stop or 25-minute walk) and onward travel.

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Our Recommendation

For most visitors, stay in the Florence historic centre — the city is one of football tourism's most rewarding destinations and the Franchi is an easy walk or train ride. Stadium-area hotels make sense only for purely match-focused trips. The Oltrarno district across the Arno is also excellent for combining the matchday with the artisan workshops and Santo Spirito's nightlife.