VENUE
Stadio Littoriale
Overview
Bologna’s Littoriale was one of Italy’s pioneering large public stadiums. Opened for football in 1927, it hosted Sweden–Argentina and Austria–Hungary at the 1934 World Cup and survives as Bologna FC’s home, today named Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Key facts
- City
- Bologna
- Country
- Italy
- Opened
- 1927
- 1934 capacity
- 50100
- Status
- active
- Current name
- Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
- Tournament
- FIFA World Cup 1934
History
Construction began in 1925 and the stadium was inaugurated in the fascist period as the Littoriale.
Its first major football international was Italy–Spain on 29 May 1927 before a crowd of roughly 55,000.
The brick exterior, Marathon Tower and integrated multi-sport design made it a model for later Italian stadium construction.
Hosted two matches at the 1934 World Cup: Sweden–Argentina and Austria–Hungary.
After the fall of fascism it became the Stadio Comunale.
In the 1980s it was renamed for Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna’s long-serving president.
Historical timeline
Year: 1925 · Event: Construction began.
Year: 1927 · Event: Opened for major football as Stadio Littoriale.
Year: 1934 · Event: Hosted two World Cup matches.
Year: 1945 · Event: Renamed Stadio Comunale.
Year: 1983 · Event: Renamed Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Year: 1990 · Event: Renovated for the FIFA World Cup.
Matches
Sweden 3-2 ArgentinaDate: 1934-05-27 · Stage: Round of 16 · Home Team: Sweden · Away Team: Argentina
Austria 2-1 HungaryDate: 1934-05-31 · Stage: Quarter-final · Home Team: Austria · Away Team: Hungary
Sources
Role: venue history / identity
Role: venue history / identity
Notes
Hosted 2 matches at the 1934 FIFA World Cup.