Udinese to host Italian rugby internationals once more

Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium is to host the Italian national rugby team for the first time in over a decade as part of a new three-year deal.

The venue will host Italy’s Autumn Nations Series opener against Argentina in November. Bluenergy Stadium, the 25,000-capacity home of Serie A football club Udinese, will host further rugby internationals in 2025 and 2026.

Udinese’s home ground last hosted the Italian national rugby team some 15 years ago.

The news comes soon after Juventus announced it was to host Italy versus New Zealand’s All Blacks this November. It will be the first non-football event to take place at Allianz Stadium.

Why Udinese?

Franco Collavino, general director of Udinese, said he is hopeful that Italy can continue to impress following a best-ever year in the Six Nations.

He said: “The event at the Bluenergy Stadium will have a great impact and positive impact on the city of Udine and the entire Friuli Venezia Giulia.

“This is thanks to a model stadium of innovation and multifunctional which is increasingly becoming what we wanted: a modern facility and welcoming home for all the major events, sporting and otherwise, of international importance such as the Autumn Series. Our national team, in fact, is experiencing a historic moment of great results and conveys great passion.”

Marzio Innocenti, President of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), said: “Udine and its stadium respond perfectly to what we ask for: a modern and innovative facility, with the possibility of developing business, and a rugby-growing area like Friuli Venezia Giulia, strategically close to one of the key regions of the movement.”