Bologna Matchday Guide: The Rossoblù, the Dall’Ara and a Sleeping Giant Awake

Warmth, history and a rising sense of belief. The Dall’Ara holds around 36,500, and the Curva Bulgarelli — named after the late Rossoblù legend Giacomo Bulgarelli — leads a passionate, loyal support with one of Italy’s oldest and most vibrant ultras cultures. Bologna fans are known as friendly as well as fervent, and the recent revival has brought a genuine buzz back to the old ground. Evening games are especially atmospheric, the floodlights illuminating the historic tower and the red-and-blue stands. Derby days against Parma stir the deepest passion. Expect a characterful, welcoming matchday at one of the most beautiful grounds in Italy.

The Dall’Ara sits in the Costa Saragozza district, around 3km west of the centre, and getting there is a pleasure. Bus 21 from Bologna Centrale (direction Filanda) runs directly to the “Stadio” stop, right in front of the ground, and bus 14 from Via Rizzoli is another option. Better still, walk: Bologna is famous for its UNESCO-listed porticoes, and the covered stroll out to the stadium is a delight, with the world’s longest portico — the 666-arch climb to the San Luca basilica — just behind the ground. Bologna Centrale sits on the Milan–Florence high-speed line, so the city is superbly connected. Our getting around Bologna guide has the bus and walking details.

Bologna is the gastronomic heart of Italy — La Grassa, “the Fat” — so the pre-match is really a pre-match feast. The historic centre around Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero food market is the place to eat tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù and mortadella before heading out to Saragozza. Nearer the ground, the bars and trattorie along Via Andrea Costa and Via Saragozza serve the local faithful, and there’s a fan store on the corner. It’s a relaxed, food-first build-up in one of Italy’s most livable cities. Our Bologna sports bars guide points you to the best spots in the centre and near the ground.

Payment is card-friendly, and kiosks serve local specialities alongside the usual fare. The Dall’Ara is a genuine beauty: a 1927 design with a horseshoe bowl, classical brickwork and the majestic Torre di Maratona rising over one end, a national monument. A quirky point of pride is the pitch, kept immaculate for nearly ninety years by an ingenious river-stone drainage system beneath the turf. The Curva Bulgarelli is the ultras’ end and the loudest; away fans go in a corner. For atmosphere, aim for an end near the Curva; for the view and the tower, the long sides. Stadium tours take in the Marathon Tower and the club’s seven-Scudetti trophy area.

Good news for visitors: Bologna rarely sell out, so tickets are usually easy to get through the official website for most fixtures — the exceptions being the visits of the biggest clubs. As across Italy, tickets are nominative and photo ID matching the name is checked at the gate, so buy through official channels and bring matching identification; the “Bologna Pass” unlocks earlier sales windows. The big games and the Parma derby are the ones to plan ahead for. Entry is by digital ticket. Our Bologna tickets guide walks through the official sale.

Bus 21 and the portico walk clear the crowd back into the centre, where Bologna truly comes into its own. This is a city made for an evening: its porticoed streets, wine bars and osterie serve some of the finest food in Italy, and the student energy of Europe’s oldest university keeps the nights lively. Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers and the Basilica di San Petronio are all worth seeing. If you’re staying over, a central base near Piazza Maggiore keeps you within a portico walk of everything; our Bologna hotels guide covers the best-placed options.

Take bus 21 or walk — the bus runs direct from Bologna Centrale, or enjoy the covered portico stroll.

Eat well first — this is Italy’s food capital, so make the pre-match a proper Bolognese meal.

Head for the Curva Bulgarelli — the ultras’ end is the loudest, most passionate section.

Buy through official channels — tickets are usually available but nominative and ID-checked.

See the Marathon Tower — the brick tower is the ground’s landmark; a stadium tour takes you up close.

Walk the San Luca portico — the world’s longest portico, just behind the ground, is a Bologna must.

Facts verified July 2026. A major stadium redevelopment has been long discussed but remains uncertain, and capacities and ticketing can change between seasons — confirm the latest details on the official Bologna FC website before you travel.