The inclusion of the venue among the candidates for the European Championship is set to overcome numerous bureaucratic hurdles.
The Pietralata stadium project in Rome has received a significant boost. The facility has been included, alongside the iconic Olympic Stadium, in the preliminary list of 13 Italian stadiums proposed to host the 2032 European Championship. This decision holds crucial strategic importance for AS Roma`s project, as the work is now officially considered to be of “national strategic interest.”
Consequently, the project will be subject to a special commissionership. The government has appointed engineer Massimo Sessa as extraordinary commissioner, granting him special powers to streamline bureaucratic procedures. His mandate is to ensure that Italy can present its five definitive stadiums to UEFA by September 2026.
Remarkably, Rome stands as the only Italian city to boast two such strong candidacies. For the capital, Mayor Gualtieri himself will serve as the sub-commissioner, as reported by “Il Messaggero.” What does this accelerated process mean for the Friedkin family, owners of AS Roma?
This commissionership is expected to significantly reduce the issues that have previously slowed down the Pietralata project`s progress. The commissioner will possess the authority to waive various regulations, drastically cutting down the time required for administrative approvals from potentially months to a mere 15-30 days. Furthermore, they will directly lead the service conference, thereby overcoming many obstacles that have hindered the process thus far and could finally unlock the realization of the new stadium, a vision strongly desired by Dan Friedkin.
Essentially, the commissioner can bypass a wide range of fundamental regulations, with the exceptions only of anti-mafia laws, the so-called “golden power,” and constraints imposed by European regulations. In short, this represents a genuine fast track for the Pietralata project, paving the way for its rapid development.
However, speed remains paramount, as there is an unmissable deadline: July 2026. By that date, the project must be officially approved and fully funded. AS Roma must now intensify efforts to finalize the definitive stadium model, aiming to present it to the City Council by the end of 2025.
So far, the process has been delayed by numerous appeals to the TAR (Italy`s administrative courts), all of which have been rejected, concerning the “wooded” area adjacent to Pietralata. This has unfortunately caused delays in preliminary operations, particularly archaeological excavations, which are yet to officially commence.
Nevertheless, the inclusion of the project among the candidates for Euro 2032 could truly be the decisive turning point for realizing Friedkin`s dream stadium. The state-of-the-art facility is envisioned to have a capacity of approximately 60-65,000 seats, with the possibility of expansion to 65-67,000 for special events. It is also planned to feature one of Europe`s most captivating stands, promising an electrifying atmosphere.
Beyond being AS Roma`s new home, the stadium will be designed as a model of sustainability, incorporating extensive green spaces and providing essential services to benefit a neighborhood that has historically suffered from neglect. This initiative aims to revitalize the area and create a lasting legacy for the community.
