Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi: Guide for Visiting Fans

The stadium is a 20-minute walk from Verona's Porta Nuova train station. That walk takes you west along Viale Palladio and is entirely flat and manageable — not scenic, but not unpleasant. Bus routes 11, 12, and 13 connect Porta Nuova and the Arena to the ground, while taxis are quick and easy if you're in a hurry.

If you're flying in, Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), also known as Valerio Catullo, is six miles (10 km) from Verona city centre. The Aerobus (line 199) runs every 20 minutes and reaches Verona Porta Nuova station in around 15 minutes. From Porta Nuova, you're then a 20-minute walk or short bus hop from the stadium. Budget about 45-50 minutes total from wheels-down to turnstile.

If you plan to go by car, take exit Verona Nord when driving on the A22 motorway. At motorway A22 you'll see the little football on the signs at exit Verona Nord. Take the exit, follow the ball and the signs with 'Stadio' and you'll reach the stadium in a couple of minutes.

For rideshare, note that Uber launched in early 2024 with only premium Black and Van services, so it tends to be more expensive. Locals typically rely on regional ride-hailing apps such as itTaxi or AppTaxi. Pre-book with AppTaxi rather than trying to hail something post-match.

There's a large parking area directly adjacent to the stadium off Via Cristoforo Colombo that fills up fast for big matches — arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff if you want a spot within easy walking distance. Overflow parking spreads into the surrounding streets and toward the Fiera di Verona exhibition complex nearby, which adds a 10–15 minutes walk but is free and not difficult to navigate. The Fiera lots are honestly your best bet if you don't want the post-match traffic chaos of the main lot.

Parking near the stadium typically runs around €5–10 for informal street-side spots, or free in the Fiera overflow zone. Parking is limited and fills quickly on event days; public transport is recommended. If you're staying in the centro storico, genuinely consider leaving the car there and busing it — parking in Verona's historic core is a labyrinth of ZTL restricted zones anyway, and you'll thank yourself post-match. Don't leave anything visible in the car; it's not a dangerous area, but the advice holds anywhere in Italy.

Don't stay next to the stadium. The Borgo Milano neighbourhood is fine for a morning espresso but there's nothing to do there in the evening, and you'll spend your pre-match hours in the wrong part of Verona. Verona's historical centre is the ideal place to base yourself. Staying around Piazza Bra or Via Mazzini puts you within walking distance of the Arena, the city's main sights, and the bus routes to the Bentegodi. You will find a mix of boutique hotels, affordable B&Bs and apartment rentals tucked between Roman ruins and medieval alleys.

For somewhere quieter, look to the San Zeno district. Just west of the centre, it is full of traditional trattorie and local life, and is the closest neighbourhood to the Bentegodi — around a 15-minute walk from the stadium. San Zeno is the right call if you want to walk to and from the ground without hassle. Mid-range hotels here run around €80–150/night depending on the season. The university district of Veronetta, across the river, attracts budget travellers and night owls with its affordable accommodation and abundance of student bars. It's a longer walk to the stadium — about 50 minutes — but the price difference can be meaningful.

Zanzi Bar — The Zanzi Bar is just across the road from the East Stand on Viale Sansovino and used to be a meeting point for members of the now-disbanded Brigate Gialloblu ultras group. It is exactly the kind of place that will tug at your heartstrings if you love football culture. Verona stickers cover near every available surface, while the busy staff dish out bottles of Moretti and Campari spritz in plastic cups. Show up early — it gets packed and the outdoor area fills fast.

Bar Bentegodi — Directly behind the Curva Sud, the Bar Bentegodi caters to a similar clientele as the Zanzi Bar. It's straightforward, loud, and unambiguously home-fan territory, but nobody is going to bother you if you're behaving yourself and not wearing colours that invite confrontation.

Osteria Riki & Mauri — A little east of the Bentegodi, you'll find the Osteria Riki & Mauri. Not only is the food incredible, but so is the affordable price. It's also a real Hellas Verona hotspot. Fans gather here on match days and drink a couple of beers. During the week it's a classy and classic restaurant with football shirts and old Hellas pictures on the wall. This is the one to book in advance for a proper sit-down meal.

Archivio (near Piazza Erbe) — Archivio near Piazza Erbe is tiny, stylish, and serves some of the best drinks in the city. Open until 1am, and with a Negroni costing €7, you can't go wrong. Perfect for a pre-match cocktail in the centro storico before hopping the bus.

There's no published "clear bag" requirement at the Bentegodi in the American sports venue style — this is Italian football, not the NFL. That said, large bags and backpacks will cause you problems at security, and common sense applies: keep it small and don't bring anything that looks like it belongs at a weekend camping trip. For the best experience, wear comfortable shoes, arrive early, and avoid bringing large bags or prohibited items.

At the pre-screening gates, it is mandatory to present a valid season ticket or ticket for the match of the day, along with a valid identity document. Once inside, spectators must reach the reserved area and occupy their allocated seat. This is strictly enforced — bring your passport or national ID, not just your phone. Make sure to remember your passport as it gets checked on the way in.

Away fans enter via the Curva Nord gates (Gates 5–6 on the North side per official venue layout). Arrive at least an hour before kickoff; the pre-filtering system means there's a double security layer and queues can stack up. The gates-open time is generally around 90 minutes before kickoff, though this can vary — check the official Hellas Verona site or your ticket confirmation for the specific match.

Accessibility features include step-free routes, ramps, wheelchair seating platforms, and adapted toilets, reflecting ongoing improvements to accommodate disabled supporters. The Bentegodi is equipped with ramps, reserved seating, and accessible restrooms for disabled visitors, with dedicated entrances (notably Gate 14) on the East side.

An accreditation system is in place for people with disabilities at Hellas Verona. An application for accreditation to access the stadium free of charge with an accompanying person must be made up to three days before a match. The application must include a valid ID, a certificate certifying 100% disability, the accompanying person's ID, a duly completed form, and an email or telephone number. To gain access to the stadium, disabled fans must go to gate number 14 with the authorized accreditation and accompanying person. Note that this is an older stadium without the modern vertical infrastructure of purpose-built venues — if you have significant mobility considerations, contact the club well in advance via their official channels to confirm arrangements.

The Hellas Verona ultras sit in the Curva Sud, while the away end is split across the upper two tiers of the Curva Nord, which used to house the Chievo Verona fans when the city's second team played in Serie A and Serie B.

Regardless of which Verona-based side is playing, away fans are housed within the upper two sections of the Curva Nord. Centrally located right behind the goal, despite the problematic existence of the running track, views from this part of the ground are actually pretty decent. The relatively low-hanging roof ensures the noise inside the stadium travels well. For the larger teams who are capable of bringing enough fans to occupy the central block, the Bentegodi can be a great experience; however when there's just a handful of away supporters, the size of the stadium can feel slightly too cavernous.

The running track does push you back from the pitch — that's the trade-off in every World Cup-era Italian ground. You won't miss goals, but you'll feel the distance during the first 20 minutes. The upper tier of the Curva Nord has better views than the lower. If your club is bringing a large away following, the noise you generate will reverberate nicely under that roof.

Hellas Verona fans have a reputation that precedes them. The Curva Sud is noisy, relentless, and occasionally theatrical. As an away fan, expect the reception to be cool rather than warm — Veronese fans tend to reserve their energy for their own team rather than bothering with visitors, which is honestly fine. What catches you off guard is the noise during the first ten minutes: the Bentegodi is old enough and enclosed enough that sound builds in a way modern stadiums don't replicate, and a heated opening to the game can be startling if you're used to more sedate atmospheres. One thing worth knowing: the stewards here are largely attentive but the egress system after the match is genuinely dated — there are lots of bottlenecks getting out with a danger of crushing when there are plenty of other gates that could have been opened. Don't be the last one moving.

On foot/bus: Bus routes 11, 12, and 13 connect the ground back to Porta Nuova and the Arena. Post-match frequency drops, so don't assume they'll be running every 5 minutes. Wait about 15–20 minutes after the final whistle for the first crush to clear the stops, then walk toward Via Cristoforo Colombo to catch your bus. The 20-minute walk back to Porta Nuova is often faster than waiting for a packed bus.

By car: The main lot adjacent to the stadium is the slowest to exit — everyone leaves at once and the access roads are narrow. If you parked at the Fiera di Verona overflow, you'll have an easier time getting onto the ring road. Budget 20–30 minutes before you're moving freely toward the A22. Take the Verona Nord exit in reverse to get back to the motorway.

Rideshare: Surge pricing is real after big matches. The opinionated tip: walk 10 minutes north toward Corso Milano before requesting your pickup via AppTaxi or itTaxi. You'll find less competition for cars, lower surge pricing, and the driver won't be stuck in stadium traffic trying to reach you. Wait at least 20 minutes after the final whistle before you even open the app — anything earlier and you're overpaying for a car that can't reach you anyway.

How do I get to Stadio Bentegodi from Verona Porta Nuova station?

The stadium is a 20-minute walk from Porta Nuova train station. Bus routes 11, 12, and 13 also connect Porta Nuova to the ground.

What is the bag policy at Stadio Bentegodi? No formal clear-bag requirement, but large bags and backpacks are discouraged and may be turned away at security. Keep it small. Bring valid photo ID — it's checked at the gate.

How much does parking cost near Stadio Bentegodi?

Parking is limited and fills quickly on event days. Informal street spots near the stadium cost roughly €5–10; overflow at the Fiera di Verona complex is typically free. Arrive 90 minutes early for a decent spot.

Where do away fans sit at Stadio Bentegodi?

Away fans are housed within the upper two sections of the Curva Nord. Tickets are around €20 and go on sale approximately one week before match day via Vivaticket.

What time do gates open at Stadio Bentegodi? Gates generally open around 90 minutes before kickoff, but confirm the specific time for your match on the Hellas Verona official website. The two-stage security process (pre-filtering + turnstile) means arriving early actually matters here.

Does Stadio Bentegodi have good food inside?

Food inside the stadium is considered basic rather than gourmet, so if you want something substantial, eat before arriving. Concession stands offer drinks, snacks, and beer. Food stalls outside pop up around the access roads, serving panini, porchetta, frittelle, and cold beers.

Do I need to bring ID to the stadium? Yes, absolutely. At the pre-screening gates, it is mandatory to present a valid season ticket or ticket for the match, along with a valid identity document. A passport is safest.

What airport serves Verona, and how long is the transfer?

Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), also known as Valerio Catullo, is six miles (10 km) from the city centre. The Aerobus (line 199) runs every 20 minutes and reaches Verona Porta Nuova in around 15 minutes. From Porta Nuova, add another 20 minutes to reach the stadium on foot or by bus.