Stadio Renato Dall'Ara: Guide for Visiting Fans

The stadium is 3 km from Bologna's town centre, 3.5 km from Bologna Centrale railway station, and 7 km from Guglielmo Marconi International Airport (BLQ). That proximity to Centrale is your best asset as a visitor.

From Bologna Centrale: Take Bus 21 in the Filanda direction to the Stadio stop — roughly 15–21 minutes. From the city centre you can also use Bus 14 along Via Andrea Costa, or Bus 20 toward Dello Sport near the away end. A single bus ticket costs €1.50 — buy it at a tabacchi before you board, because the onboard machine is an adventure in unreliability.

Walking: It's a 30–45-minute walk from the centre, and you should follow the porticoes of Via Saragozza — a UNESCO-listed corridor of arches that turns the journey into a genuine scenic procession. Honestly, if the weather cooperates and you have time, walk it at least one way.

From the Airport: Take the Aerobus BLQ shuttle to Bologna Centrale, or get a taxi for around €20. From Centrale, pick up Bus 21 as above. Total travel time from BLQ to stadium: budget around 40–50 minutes.

By Car: From the A1 (Milan–Naples) or A14 (Bologna–Taranto), exit at Bologna Casalecchio. Don't drive if you can avoid it — parking evaporates on matchdays and the Casalecchio exit funnels you into genuine frustration.

Rideshare: Bolt and Free Now operate in Bologna. Ask to be dropped on Via Andrea Costa or Via Porrettana and walk in. There is no designated rideshare zone.

Note on trams: Bologna currently has no operational tram or metro. A new tram network is under construction, with the Red Line expected to open in 2026 — but it does not serve the stadium directly, so buses remain your transit option.

The designated car park for away fans is situated along Via Porrettana and Via Don Luigi Sturzo. This is intentional — it keeps visiting supporters in their own corridor and away from the home ultras. It fills up quickly for bigger fixtures, so aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff.

Street parking exists on residential roads in Saragozza but erodes fast on matchdays. Locals know the area and claim spots early. Your best bet if you must drive is to park near a bus route further out — the Casalecchio area has some surface lots — and take the bus the last few kilometres in. Expect to pay around €5–10 for any organised lot near the ground, or €2–3 per hour for metered street parking in surrounding streets. There is no large multi-storey stadium car park the way you'd find at modern Serie A venues, so don't count on just rolling up and finding something. This is an old residential ground: treat it like one.

For most visitors, central Bologna around Piazza Maggiore or the University Quarter is the best base — walking distance to the Due Torri, the Quadrilatero food market, and a 20–25-minute portico walk to the stadium. Bologna's food culture makes this the most rewarding base; stadium-area hotels in Saragozza only make sense for purely match-focused trips.

The Santo Stefano and Porto neighbourhoods offer 3-star and 4-star options at €80–180 per night and put you in the middle of the city's medieval core. The Saragozza district itself (walking distance to the stadium) has smaller B&Bs and rental apartments for €60–120 a night — convenient but quieter and less interesting for an evening out. Avoid booking near Bologna Fiera unless you got a deal; it's a schlep from both the city and the ground.

Trattoria Meloncello – Towards the Curva Sud along Via Porrettana, Trattoria Meloncello is one of the two standout choices for a proper pre-match meal. Order the tagliatelle al ragù. It is not a tourist place. The sauce is not what you've been calling Bolognese your whole life — it is the real thing, and the difference is humbling.

Bar Pasticceria Minny – Also on Via Porrettana near the Curva Sud, Bar Pasticceria Minny is the other standout in the immediate away-end vicinity. Good for a quick espresso and a cornetto before the game if you don't have time for a sit-down meal.

Billi Bar – A landmark in the history of Bolognese bars, located close to the Dall'Ara Stadium and frequented by those heading up to San Luca or arriving by bike. Don't expect a perfect, modern place — its beauty is that it still has tables and furnishings from the past. A Pignoletto sparkling aperitivo here before kickoff is the correct choice.

Bar Maratona – The old soul of the place hums at Bar Maratona, situated beneath the famous Marathon Tower. It's an atmospheric spot that feels like it belongs to another era of Italian football. Along Via Andrea Costa heading north there are also several pizzerias including San Gennaro Pizzeria and Pizzeria Ciclope, popular with fans before kickoff.

Prohibited items include glass and plastic bottles, cans, alcohol over 5% ABV, fireworks, poles, and blades. Expect metal detectors at the turnstiles and CCTV throughout. Italian stadiums have strict security — it is nothing like the relaxed door policy at some English grounds. Keep your bag small and your pockets light.

Gates open approximately two hours before kickoff. Arriving early is genuinely worthwhile here; the area around the stadium is pleasant to explore and the bars fill up quickly an hour out.

Visiting supporters are accommodated in the Curva Ospiti in the stadium's southwest area, accessed via Via Menabue, a narrow lane that branches off the main Via Porrettana. Follow the signs and the stewards — don't try to find a shortcut through the home terraces.

The name on your ticket must match your ID. Italian nominative-ticket rules are enforced. If you bought your ticket through a third party, verify the seller re-issued it in your name before you travel.

For those experiencing temporary disability, access to the ticketed area is granted upon submission of a medical certificate confirming the ability to ambulate with the specified assistive device. Failure to provide this certificate may result in seating in the designated accessible section, subject to availability. Bologna FC advises contacting the club in advance to confirm seat availability and address access requirements.

Tickets for disabled supporters are not available through regular channels — accreditation requests must be made via email ([email protected]) or fax (+39 051 6111122). The Dall'Ara is a 1927 building and, while it has received upgrades, it does not have the seamless accessible infrastructure of a modern venue. Contact the club well ahead of your visit, clarify your specific requirements, and do not assume level access will be intuitive on the day.

Visiting supporters are housed in the Curva Ospiti in the stadium's southwest area, accessed via Via Menabue off Via Porrettana. The section usually holds around 2,500 fans, though capacity is sometimes adjusted based on the security profile of the fixture.

While the section appears modest compared to the towering arcs of the home terraces, it provides a clear view of the pitch, and the compact environment is perfect for making your voice heard. The sightlines from the Curva Ospiti are genuinely decent — you're low and close to the pitch, which means you feel every tackle.

One caveat: there is an athletics track between the stands and the pitch , which means you're not right on top of the action the way you would be at a purpose-built football ground. The home end to avoid as an away fan is obviously the Curva Giacomo Bulgarelli (north end), where the ultras groups including Turist Group 1996, SGP 1999, and the Vecchia Guardia bring serious vocal presence and the occasional flare.

Bologna fans are not the most hostile you'll encounter in Serie A, but they are loud and they take their football seriously — this club has seven Scudetti and recently returned to the Champions League for the first time in over fifty years, and the city knows it. The Curva Ospiti is compact enough that a decent travelling contingent creates a real noise, and the architecture — the red-brick arcades, the Marathon Tower looming over one end, the fascist-era curves — gives the whole experience a drama that modern bowl stadiums simply can't manufacture. One thing that genuinely surprises first-timers: the pitch is almost absurdly good quality. At a time when most Serie A pitches are the subject of controversy, the Dall'Ara has always been impeccable, with all matches played to a high standard even in hostile weather. The ball moves fast and clean, and the football tends to reflect that. Come expecting a real match in a real old ground — because that is exactly what you'll get.

By Bus: Bus 21 back to Bologna Centrale is your most reliable post-match option. TPER runs reinforced services after games, but the Stadio stop gets congested quickly. Wait 10–15 minutes after the final whistle inside or near the ground before joining the queue — the first wave is always the worst. Expect a 20–25 minute journey back to Centrale once you're on board.

By Car: The lot along Via Porrettana and Via Don Luigi Sturzo will be gridlocked for at least 30–40 minutes post-match. If you drove, don't rush — sit in the car, let the first wave of traffic clear, and aim to roll out around 45 minutes after the whistle. The Casalecchio ring road is your fastest route back to the A1 or A14. Avoid heading directly into the city centre by car.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in immediately after the final whistle on Via Andrea Costa and around Piazza di Porta Saragozza. Walk five minutes east toward the city before requesting your ride — you'll get a shorter wait and a significantly better price. Give it at least 15–20 minutes post-match before you request.

The one tip worth following: If you're going anywhere in the city for a post-match meal, just walk. Via Saragozza's porticoes turn the walk back into something pleasant , the 40 minutes go quickly with a result to debate, and by the time you arrive downtown, the surge has died and you've earned your tagliatelle.

Which bus goes to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara?

Bus 21 from Bologna Centrale (direction Filanda) goes directly to the Stadio stop in 15–21 minutes. Bus 14 along Via Andrea Costa and Bus 20 toward Dello Sport are also options from the city centre.

Does Bologna have a metro or tram?

No — Bologna currently has no operational tram or metro. Buses are your transit option. A new tram Red Line is under construction but does not yet serve the stadium.

What is the bag policy at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara? Small bags only — no backpacks, no large bags. Prohibited items include glass and plastic bottles, cans, alcohol over 5% ABV, fireworks, and poles. Keep it minimal and expect metal detectors at every gate.

How much does parking cost near the stadium? The away fan car park is on Via Porrettana and Via Don Luigi Sturzo. Expect roughly €5–10 for organised parking. Street parking in the area disappears fast. Driving is not recommended for matchdays.

Where do away fans sit at the Dall'Ara?

Visiting supporters are accommodated in the Curva Ospiti in the stadium's southwest area, with access found via Via Menabue, a narrow lane off Via Porrettana.

When do gates open?

Gates open approximately two hours before kickoff. Away fans should use the Via Menabue entrance — don't arrive at the home gates.

How do I buy tickets as an away fan?

Buy directly from bolognafc.it/en/tickets. Italian rules require nominative tickets matched to a photo ID, so the secondary market carries real risk unless the seller can legally re-issue in your name.

What's the nearest airport and how do I get from it to the stadium?

The closest airport is Guglielmo Marconi International (BLQ), about 3.5 miles north of the stadium. Take the BLQ Aerobus shuttle to Bologna Centrale, then board Bus 21 toward Filanda and disembark at the Montefiorino or Stadio stop. Allow 40–55 minutes total.