The new Venezia FC stadium at Bosco dello Sport in Tessera is one of the most important sports infrastructure projects currently underway in Italy.
Designed as the future home of Venezia FC, the stadium will be the centerpiece of a vast sports and urban regeneration district on the Venetian mainland.
With construction officially underway and an opening scheduled for 2027, the project marks a historic turning point for both the football club and the city of Venice.
Bosco dello Sport: Venice’s New Sports and Green District
Source: Populous
The Bosco dello Sport is a large-scale 300-million-euro multifunctional complex covering more than 116 hectares near Marco Polo Airport in Tessera.
It is designed as a multifunctional sports park where professional facilities, community sports areas, public green spaces and entertainment venues coexist in a sustainable environment. The masterplan includes outdoor sports fields, pedestrian and cycling paths, landscaped parks, and major indoor and outdoor arenas. The goal is to create a year-round destination for sport, leisure, and social life, serving both residents and visitors.
At the heart of this new district stands the Venezia FC stadium. Although primarily built for Venezia FC, the new stadium will be a fully multifunctional venue. It will be suitable for Serie A and international football matches, top-level rugby events, concerts and large entertainment shows.
This versatility is reinforced by the wider Bosco dello Sport development, which also includes a 10,000-seat indoor arena for basketball, volleyball and live events. Together, these facilities will create one of the most important sports and entertainment hubs in northeastern Italy.
New Venezia Stadium Design and Architecture
Source: Populous
In early 2025, the design for the new stadium was officially unveiled by the world-renowned architecture firm Populous. Known for designing world-class venues like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the new Wembley, Populous has designed a venue for Venezia that blends modern efficiency with local identity.
The stadium is designed to hold approximately 18,500 spectators, a significant upgrade that allows the club to host high-profile Serie A fixtures and European competitions. For concerts and major events, total capacity can be expanded to approximately 25,000 spectators. The facility will be built to UEFA Category 4 standards, the highest designation possible, making it eligible to host international matches.
Architecturally, the stadium focuses on “intimacy and intensity,” with steep seating tiers that bring fans close to the action. The exterior design emphasizes sustainability and integration with the surrounding “forest,” utilizing materials that reflect the unique light and landscape of the Venetian lagoon.
The most striking aesthetic feature is the airy facade, which will consist of white vertical slats with open spaces between them. This design allows for views into the arena from the surrounding forest park.
Construction Cost, Timeline and Opening Date
The definitive stadium project was presented in 2025, and the official groundbreaking ceremony took place in October of the same year.
The event was attended by major political and sporting figures, including Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi. Minister Abodi praised the project as a “beacon for Italian sport,” urging other cities to follow Venice’s lead in modernizing their facilities.
Construction is expected to last approximately 20 months. The opening of the new Venezia FC stadium is currently scheduled for spring 2027, subject to construction progress and final inspections.
The total investment for the football stadium alone is estimated at approximately 92 million euros, funded through municipal resources and long-term financing.
Venezia FC is expected to manage the stadium under a long-term concession, enabling the club to develop commercial activities, hospitality services and event revenues.
Impact on the Club and Community
The project to move Venezia FC to the mainland is not a new concept; rather, it is the culmination of a nearly 80-year ambition. The club’s current home, Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, has been in use since 1913, making it the second-oldest functioning football stadium in Italy. While iconic for its island location on Sant’Elena, its accessibility issues led to the first relocation proposals shortly after World War II.
Successive plans followed the club’s fortunes—briefly in 1961 and again ahead of the 1990 World Cup—but financial instability and three club bankruptcies (2005, 2009, and 2015) repeatedly stalled progress. The definitive breakthrough came after the 2021 promotion to Serie A, which catalyzed the current project.
The move to Tessera on the mainland will provide the club with a state-of-the-art facility that is easily reachable by road and public transport, close to major traffic arteries and the airport. This transition is expected to strengthen the club’s long-term economic sustainability and enhance the matchday experience for supporters.
For Venezia FC, the new stadium represents the chance to redefine its future on and off the pitch, finally aligning its ambitions with a home designed for the modern game.
