The first time I visited the Stadio Atleti Azzuri d'Italia (roughly translated the
Stadium of the Blue Athletes of Italy)🤑 it was something of an unplanned bonus to add-on
to a planned trip to the San Siro in Milan (Bergamo🤑 is located about half an hour away,
and is the Airport Ryanair classes as 'Milan') yet transpired to be the🤑 highlight of
the holiday, eclipsing its far more sizable and famous neighbour the San Siro.
Located
around 20-30 min walk from🤑 Bergamo town centre, the Stadio (there’s no danger I'm
typing that name out repeatedly) holds round 20,000 supporters as per🤑 my last visit (it
has been subject to renovations since) which may not seem a great deal, but when you
🤑 take into account its proximity to 2 of the biggest clubs in World football, its
sizable enough.
What makes it more🤑 spectacular is the fact that the locals may not sell
it out every week, but they give it a damn🤑 good go, averaging 17-18,000 spectators. I'd
actually say this makes it perfect for visitors in that you'll almost certainly be🤑 able
to score a ticket for the game, but this doesn't mean it's anywhere near empty.
The
stadium serves as the🤑 perfect example of having a stadium perfectly sized to fit your
needs being better than a cavernous arena as the🤑 Atalanta fans that make up the crowd
generate a fantastic atmosphere. I think it tells its own story that I'm🤑 not actually
sure what the concession stand serves as I've always enjoyed myself too much to leave
the stand.
The two🤑 main stands are well maintained, however the curvas don't have
conventional seating, and are simply large stone steps...at least they🤑 were upon my
last visit, I do believe this has been part of the recent renovations. You see Atalanta
unfortunately🤑 couldn't use the stadium in the Europa League due to these, however they
have actually purchased the stadium from the🤑 Bergamo council (remarkably making them
the first Serie A team after Juventus to actually own their ground) and the club🤑 have
been working to make it suitable for European competition.
Buying tickets for games is
actually easier than ever, as in🤑 addition to ticket booths outside the ground the club
have opened a very nice club store in Bergamo centre which🤑 sells tickets.
Ticket prices
is the European standard: Yes, there are ones for less than €20, but you'll do well to
🤑 score one as they are in the Curvas, and are snapped up by the real fans, as they
should be.🤑 Expect to be somewhere in the €20-30 bracket.
While I imagine this may
change with the club now owning the stadium,🤑 there is neither a tour nor a club store
at the stadium. Even more surprising given the lack of store🤑 is the complete absence of
stalls selling merchandise outside.
Given that I'm giving this review an enthusiastic
4/5 for before work🤑 being done, I can only imagine it'll be even better now the club
have their hands on it. I may🤑 have went as a side-story to a trip to the San Siro, but
crazy as it may sound I'd now🤑 get more excited about a trip to the Stadio Atleti Azzuri
d'Italia than I would the Milanese arena!
