Revitalized Drusus Stadium in Bolzano: Modern Football Meets Historic Preservation

The Drusus Stadium in Bolzano, Italy, has undergone an extensive refurbishment and upgrade, transforming the historic 1936 venue into a modern football arena that meets Serie B standards. Designed collaboratively by gmp Architects alongside Dejaco + Partner and Bergmeister Consulting Engineers, the project combines contemporary stadium design with a deep respect for the site’s historic character. Spearheaded by architects Meinhard von Gerkan, Stephan Schütz, and Ralf Dejaco, the renovation showcases a seamless integration of modern amenities, increased capacity, and sustainable building practices.

Spanning an area of 29,850 m², the renovation involved raising seating capacity from 3,100 to 5,500 spectators, achieved by elongating and extending both main grandstands down to the pitch. The historic portions of the stadium were carefully preserved, while new interventions include a heated natural turf field, complying with Lega Calcio requirements for year-round use, including winter matches. This ensures optimal playing conditions for FC Südtirol, the stadium’s home club representing all of South Tyrol.

A signature feature of the refurbishment is the “Zanvettor” grandstand, a purist-style construction built behind the historic stadium portal. The monumental portal, a protected structure, has been sensitively integrated into a fair-faced concrete base and covered with steel lattice girders. Beneath the Zanvettor grandstand, all essential facilities for Serie B matches are housed, including upgraded team dressing rooms, a press room, and media workspaces overlooking the field. The historic portal also offers access to fan shops and eateries, usable even outside match days. Administrative offices are located on the upper floor for efficient stadium operations.

Opposite the Zanvettor, the narrower “Canazza” grandstand with its characteristic vaulted concrete shell roof has been preserved, extended, and upgraded with a simpler roof system that complements the new grandstand design. Future plans envision additional north and south grandstands to increase capacity up to 10,000 spectators. To accommodate this, a modular construction system has been implemented, ensuring straightforward expansion in a second construction phase while maintaining design continuity.

With an investment of approximately €15 million from the Province of South Tyrol and the City of Bolzano, the Drusus Stadium now combines historic preservation, modern football requirements, and sustainable architectural strategies, establishing a benchmark for stadium renovations in Italy.

All photographs are works of  Marcus Bredt