Bluenergy Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

The Bluenergy Stadium isn't the most accessible by foot, with supporters needing to set aside a good hour to make the 5.2km hike from the train station. Don't walk. Take the bus.

There are three separate bus routes that will get you to the Bluenergy Stadium. The 9 bus from Viale Europa Unita 99 stop towards Circolare Destra takes in 12 stops before reaching Via Mainerio, from where it is a 10-minute walk to the stadium. The number 2 bus also picks up from Viale Europa Unita 99 stop and heads towards Feletto/Circolare Destra — after 19 stops you'll arrive at Piazza Rizzi, again a 10-minute walk away from the ground. The No. 9 is the one most regulars use. A single ticket valid for 60 minutes costs €1.45, while a daily ticket costs €3.25. Tickets can also be bought through the TPL FVG or the Drop Ticket apps, both of which can be downloaded from Apple Store and Google Play.

By car: from Venice or Trieste on the A23, come off at Udine Sud and continue along Tangenziale Ovest in the direction of Tarvisio, then take the exit marked "Stadio Friuli – Ospiti Curva Sud." That last bit — "Ospiti Curva Sud" — matters. Away fans have a dedicated entrance on the south side, and following those signs will save you wandering past the Curva Nord ultras. The ground is approximately a 15-minute cab journey from Udine's main train station and around a 35-minute drive from Trieste's airport, the closest international airport to Udine. If flying from further afield, Venice Marco Polo (VCE) is the main hub — roughly 90 minutes by road via the A4/A23.

Rideshare (Uber/mytaxi) works in Udine but supply is limited outside of the centre. Book in advance if possible, especially for evening kickoffs.

This is one of the genuine perks of driving to the Bluenergy Stadium. There is an enormous car park right beside the stadium. Arrive an hour before kickoff and parking is still plentiful — though getting out at the end requires patience.

Spectators with a parking pass can use areas P1, P2, and P3 located in Viale Candolini. Those without a parking pass have access to P5 in Via Bottecchia and P6 in Via Mainerio and Viale Candolini, near the Bluenergy Stadium. For big matches and high-demand fixtures, the Fiera di Udine and the Comune di Martignacco car parks in Via Cotonificio also become available, with a shuttle service running to and from the stadium area.

Standard matchday parking near the stadium tends to run around €5–10 depending on the lot and the fixture. For lower-profile Serie A games, street parking in the Rizzi residential neighbourhood to the east can be free — locals know this, and so do the regulars. Get there 75 minutes early and you'll have options; show up 20 minutes before kickoff and you'll be walking farther than you want to.

The stadium sits in the Rizzi district, about 4 km from the city centre of Udine. Don't stay in Rizzi — there's nothing to walk to in the evenings, and the neighbourhood is purely residential. Instead, book in the old town (centro storico), specifically around Piazza della Libertà or Via Mercatovecchio. It's where all the bars, restaurants, and aperitivo spots are concentrated, and you're only a €10 taxi or a 20-minute bus ride from the ground.

Mid-range hotels like the Hotel Astoria and Hotel Principe are well-positioned in or just off the centro, typically running €80–130/night for a standard double. Budget travellers can find B&Bs and guesthouses in the same streets for €50–80. If you want a splurge, the area around Piazza Matteotti has some boutique options closer to €150–200. Avoid booking out by the A23 interchange — you'll end up with a chain hotel experience and a taxi dependency for everything.

The honest answer is that the best pre-match drinking is in the old town, not within stumbling distance of the ground itself. That said, a few places near the stadium are worth knowing about.

Bar Allo Stadio is approximately a 15-minute walk east of the ground and is a decent spot for a pre-game beer. It does exactly what the name promises: straightforward, cold beer, local crowd, no fuss. The Neruda Cafe is about a 15-minute walk south of the ground — slightly more relaxed, good for a coffee or a spritz before heading in. If wine is your thing, head to Osteria Da Dalia, another five minutes further down the road past the Bar Allo Stadio. Friuli is serious wine country — Friulano and Ribolla Gialla are the regional whites you should be drinking, and any self-respecting osteria in the area will pour them properly.

In the old town, Udine's via dei Gemona strip is lined with aperitivo spots serving proper Spritz Aperol alongside cicchetti (small snacks). If you're in the city the night before, eat dinner in the centre — the Friulian kitchen does cjarsons (stuffed pasta), frico (cheese and potato), and mountain-cured meats that are genuinely distinct from generic Italian tourist food.

The official stadium regulations are available as a PDF on the Udinese website, and by purchasing or using a match-day ticket or season ticket, fans declare that they have read and accept those regulations. In practice, standard Italian stadium rules apply: no large bags, no bottles, no cans. Small bags and backpacks are typically checked at security. When in doubt, travel light — a small crossbody bag or nothing at all is the smoothest approach.

Italy requires all ticket holders to present photo ID matching the name printed on their ticket. ID is required when buying tickets and entering the stadium, with names printed on tickets. This applies to everyone in your group. Don't forget your passport or national ID card.

Ticket collection booths are at the northern end of the ground, on the corner between Viale Candolini and Via Candonio, almost directly behind the Curva Nord. Away fans, however, should head directly to the Curva Sud entrance on the south side, which has its own access route and security lane. Follow the "Ospiti" (visitors) signage — it'll be clear once you're on the ringroad approach.

Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff for Serie A matches. Arrive early if attending a high-profile fixture, as security queues at the Ospiti entrance can develop quickly.

The stadium is designed to accommodate fans with disabilities, and the 2014–2016 reconstruction built accessibility in from scratch rather than bolting it on. Wheelchair spaces are available across the ground — the Tribuna (west/main stand) and the lower tiers of the Curva Nord and Curva Sud all have designated accessible areas, typically at pitch-level behind the barrier rails where sightlines remain unobstructed.

The stadium's concourses are wide and ramp-accessible, a genuine benefit of the ground-up rebuild. Accessible toilets are available in each stand. For away fans with mobility requirements, contact Udinese Calcio directly in advance via udinese@udinesespa.it to confirm accessible seating allocation in the Curva Sud. Assistive listening devices are not widely advertised for standard Serie A matches; confirm availability when arranging tickets if this is a requirement.

The Curva Sud accommodates away fans, while the Curva Nord serves as the dedicated section for ultras supporters. The Curva Sud is the standard away allocation for visiting supporters at Serie A fixtures in Italy — you'll be behind the south goal with a straight-on view down the pitch. The view from behind the goal is excellent and you can see all parts of the ground — though avoid the very first row, which is restrictive; higher up is fine.

The absence of a running track brings fans close to the pitch, providing excellent views from all areas. This is the biggest practical upgrade the 2016 rebuild delivered — what used to be an athletics track's worth of dead space between you and the action is now gone entirely. If your club is given a generous away allocation and you can pick your row, aim for rows 10–20 in the Curva Sud: close enough to feel the atmosphere, high enough that nobody's head is in the way.

If you're travelling as a neutral or in mixed company and can freely choose your section, the Tribuna (west/main stand) lateral areas offer the best side-on views and a more relaxed atmosphere. It's a good atmosphere mixing passionate ultra supporters behind the goals and friendly intermingling supporters of both clubs in the main stand.

The Curva Nord is where the ultras are and it is by far the noisiest stand in the ground, although it feels relatively subdued compared to other stadiums in Italy. That observation is key for away fans: this is not San Siro, not a fortress that wears you down before kickoff. Udinese supporters are proud — Friuli is one of Italy's five autonomous regions, and it's a proud place inhabited by proud people, so expect to see Friuli flags featuring a golden eagle on a blue background — but the atmosphere in the stands is generally competitive rather than hostile. Walk in with your colours on and you'll be fine in the Curva Sud; wander into the Curva Nord end and you'll be asked to leave, politely but firmly. One thing worth knowing: the fan club atmosphere in the Curva is notably good-humoured — supporting their own team rather than putting others down. The stadium is also genuinely clean and modern, with toilets that actually function and concourse food that won't ruin your evening — two facts that, in Serie A, are never guaranteed.

By bus: The same lines (2, 9) that brought you in will take you back. Buses run post-match, but they will be full immediately after the final whistle. The move here is to wait 15–20 minutes inside or just outside the Curva Sud exit, let the main crush thin, then walk the 10 minutes to the Via Mainerio or Piazza Rizzi bus stop and hop on the next service. Frequency drops post-match to standard evening headways (every 20–30 minutes), so don't dawdle once you're at the stop.

By car: At first when exiting the stadium you'll find a bit of traffic, but once you've cleared the main area you are easily on your way to the city centre. The Rizzi area drains relatively quickly compared to urban Italian stadiums — the ringroad access helps enormously. Away fans using the Ospiti exit on the south side tend to clear faster than the main northern exit. Give it 20–25 minutes after the final whistle before attempting to move your car, and you'll be on the tangenziale within 10 minutes of reaching it.

By rideshare/taxi: Surge pricing is real in Udine post-match, especially for evening kickoffs on midweek fixtures. The trick is to walk five minutes east toward the residential streets off Via Mainerio and request your pickup there — shorter wait, better pricing than requesting right outside the stadium gates. Book the return journey before the second half if possible. Waiting in the stadium car park for an app car is a fool's errand for the first 30 minutes.

One opinionated tip: If you drove in and parked in P5 or P6 (the secondary lots), you'll exit onto Via Mainerio/Viale Candolini more smoothly than anyone fighting their way out of P1. The P1 lot near the Curva Nord is the last one to drain.

What's the best bus to take to Bluenergy Stadium?

Bus 9 connects the stadium with the central train station and the centre of Udine. The trip takes about twenty minutes — get off at Via Mainerio.

Do I need ID to enter the stadium? Yes. You'll need to produce ID when buying tickets and again when entering the stadium, as tickets are printed with your name. A passport or national ID card is required. Do not leave it at the hotel.

What's the bag policy? Standard Italian stadium regulations: no large bags, no bottles, no hard-sided containers. Small personal bags are typically permitted subject to security checks. Travel light and you'll have no issues at the gates.

How much does parking cost at Bluenergy Stadium?

There is ample on-site parking right beside the stadium. Arrive an hour before kickoff and parking is still plentiful. Costs are typically around €5–10 for general matchday lots, with official club parking passes available for pre-booked spots.

Where do away fans sit?

The Curva Sud is the designated away fan section. Access via the south entrance (follow "Ospiti" signage from the ringroad). Tickets must be purchased in advance through TicketOne or authorised outlets.

When do gates open? Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kickoff for standard Serie A fixtures. Arrive early for high-profile matches or rivalries where security queues can build.

What food and drink is available inside?

Facilities include a variety of food options including pizza, sandwiches, snacks, popcorn, and beverages like coffee and beer. Prices are reasonable by Italian stadium standards. Outside food and drinks are not permitted through the turnstiles.

What's the closest airport to Bluenergy Stadium?

The ground is around a 35-minute drive from Trieste Airport (TRS), the closest international airport to Udine. Venice Marco Polo (VCE) is the largest nearby hub, roughly 90 minutes by road.