Italian football clubs Genoa and Sampdoria have rekindled relations over the potential acquisition and redevelopment of Stadio Luigi Ferraris, hinting that they could now be willing to collaborate with private entities.
Genoa, of Serie A, and Sampdoria, of Serie B, last month launched Genova Stadium Srl, a new company designed to drive investment in the venue which the two teams share.
The company had the objective of formulating an offer to buy the stadium with a view to carrying out key renovation work. The company would also look to secure Stadio Luigi Ferraris’ status as a host venue during the UEFA Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host alongside Turkey.
Stadio Luigi Ferraris has a capacity of around 38,000 and is currently owned by the City of Genoa. However, relations between the respective parties have soured in recent weeks with the two clubs announcing the pursuit of solo projects, while the City detailed a separate offer for the Ferraris from the CdS group.
In a joint statement issued today (Friday), the two clubs said they have continued discussions this week “in order to define the conditions for a joint proposal for the redevelopment of the Stadio Luigi Ferraris Stadium”.
Genoa and Sampdoria added: “In this perspective, and to further strengthen their understanding, the parties intend to evaluate the possibility of involving third-party operators. In the coming days, meetings and technical insights in this direction will follow.
“We would like to thank the Municipal Administration of Genoa – and in particular the Mayor Marco Bucci and the Deputy Mayor Pietro Piciocchi – for having always actively worked to promote maximum involvement and full understanding between our clubs for the success of the project.”
In March 2023, Piciocchi said plans were in place to redevelop the stadium on the basis that Italy secured hosting rights to Euro 2032. Italy was awarded the rights in October 2023.
The stadium is one of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)’s proposed venues for Euro 2032 but upgrades costing between €60m (£50m/$65m) and €80m would be required ahead of the tournament.
The stadium is the oldest in Italy having opened back in 1911, and it was used during the country’s staging of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Genoa has played at the Luigi Ferraris since it opened, with Sampdoria having called the stadium home since 1946.
