Location: P.le Repubblica Argentina, Udine
Opened: 1976
Capacity: 41,652
Home to Udinese, the Stadio Friuli is located in the area of Rizzi, in Udine.
Opened in 1976, as a replacement for Stadio Moretti, Friuli has a maximum capacity of 41,652 seats, partly covered, currently limited to a capacity 30,900.
It, like most of Italian stadia, is owned by the local council, the municipality of Udine.
The stadium also features facilities for fencing, gymnastics, martial arts andathletics, including an indoor gym, located in the grandstand.
Friuli hosted three matches at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, all of which were Group E matches.
In 2005, the stadium was approved by UEFA to host matches involving the UEFA Champions League, which Udinese participated in, during the 2005–06 season.
On September 10, 2008, the stadium hosted the second match of the Italian national team’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
On November 21, 2009, Italy rugby team played Rugby World Cup Champions South on this ground.
The Gentleman Ultra says…
The Stadio Friuli is a stadium with character and style. Ultra modern in its construction, in 1976 it was the only venue that hosted matches in the 1990 World Cup that needed no refurbishment.
The ground was innovative for its time and has a gym as well as athletics, fencing and martial arts facilities. Recognisable for its huge curved roof the stadium is more than equipped to host the Champions League or international matches.
The atmosphere in the ground is certainly passionate when near full capacity as was seen at the end of last season when Udinese were battling for a Champions League spot. At the beginning of the season however, the average attendances were a lot smaller, and the atmosphere can get lost despite the efforts of the Ultra groups such as the Teddy Boys.
