Stadio Comunale

Lore & Background

By the early 2000s, the aging facility struggled with modern safety regulations and comfort standards, prompting a long-planned transition. However, Juventus had already left this historic ground decades prior; their final chapter at the Comunale concluded in 1990 when they moved to the Stadio delle Alpi. The stadium itself was never demolished by Juventus. Instead, it remains standing today as the home of Torino FC. It was the Stadio delle Alpi that was eventually replaced by the new Allianz Stadium on the exact same footprint.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Stadio Comunale was thick with the scent of burnt flares and damp earth as the final whistle approached on that fateful May evening. The old stands groaned under the weight of eighty years of history, a tangible vibration that seemed to pulse through the concrete foundations. An elderly man in the Curva Nord raised his scarf one last time, tears cutting tracks through the dust on his face, whispering the names of players who had long since retired or passed away. As the crowd chanted 'Fino alla fine,' the stadium itself seemed to bow, releasing its soul into the night sky before silence reclaimed the empty pitch that would soon be nothing but a memory.

Reader's Guide

For any true supporter of Juventus, the site of the former Stadio Comunale is a pilgrimage destination, even though the structure no longer exists. Standing on these hallowed grounds today, where the new Allianz Stadium now rises, one must close their eyes to visualize the steep terraces that once held over seventy-five thousand screaming fans. This location represents the longest continuous chapter in the club's history, spanning from the post-war era through the modern commercialization of football.

The transition from the Comunale to the new stadium marked a seismic shift in Italian football culture, moving away from shared city ownership to a private, all-seater model. Yet, the spirit of the old ground remains alive in the rituals of the Curva Nord and South. The chants that once echoed off the old concrete walls are now directed at the new architecture, but the emotional core remains unchanged. Visiting this spot is not just about seeing a modern stadium; it is about understanding the lineage of the Bianconeri, recognizing where the club's greatest legends walked, and paying homage to the era when Juventus remained rooted in Turin before evolving into a global powerhouse.

Did You Know?

• The stadium hosted a semi-final at the 1934 World Cup, while the final was held in Rome; Juventus played their first match here on September 25, 1933.
• It was one of the few stadiums in Europe with a running track separating the stands from the pitch, creating a unique visual distance for fans.
• Juventus' final match at the Stadio Comunale took place in 1990; Alessandro Del Piero never played a competitive match there as he joined the club three years after the team's move to the Stadio delle Alpi.
• Unlike common belief, the Allianz Stadium was built on the site of the former Stadio delle Alpi, while the original Stadio Comunale still exists today as Torino's home ground.

Origins and Construction

The Stadio delle Alpi served as a modern replacement for the aging Stadio Olimpico in Turin, constructed specifically to accommodate the demands of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Designed by Studio Hutter, construction commenced in June 1988 utilizing prefabricated concrete techniques that allowed completion within just two years. Originally intended as a dual-purpose venue for football and athletics, an running track encircled the pitch, though the lack of a warm-up area prevented major athletic events from ever taking place there. The facility was officially inaugurated on May 31, 1990, featuring a friendly match where a combined Juventus and Torino squad defeated Porto. While the initial design capacity stood at 69,041 spectators, FIFA regulations regarding supporter segregation necessitated a reduction to 67,229 seats during international tournaments. Built by the Turin city council, it became the shared home ground for both major local football clubs following the closure of their previous venue.

Ownership and Conflicts

Despite its grand opening, the stadium faced significant administrative and financial challenges throughout its operational life. Disputes regarding escalating rental costs frequently arose between the city council and the two resident clubs, Juventus and Torino. By 1994, Juventus leadership began investigating options for a privately owned facility, eventually moving crucial UEFA Cup semi-final and final matches to Milan’s San Siro in 1995 to accommodate larger crowds of up to 85,000 fans. The relationship deteriorated further when violence erupted during a clash against Milan on February 22, 2003, resulting in Torino being banned from playing Serie A matches at the venue until June of that year. Ultimately, Juventus resolved the ownership issues by purchasing the Delle Alpi directly from the Turin city council in June 2002 for approximately €25 million, securing control before the stadium’s eventual closure and demolition.

Design Flaws and Attendance

The architectural design of the Delle Alpi drew widespread criticism from spectators and observers alike. The inclusion of an athletics track forced stands to be positioned far from the pitch, severely compromising visibility for fans in the lower tiers who were further obstructed by advertising hoardings. Additionally, the stadium’s location on the outskirts of Turin was unpopular, and the open design left attendees exposed to inclement weather conditions. These factors contributed to chronically low attendance figures relative to capacity; during the 2005–06 season, Juventus averaged only 35,880 spectators per match. In a stark example of poor turnout, merely 237 fans attended a Coppa Italia fixture against Sampdoria in the 2001–02 campaign. Conversely, the attendance record remains high at 63,583, set during a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid in May 2003.

Demolition and Legacy

Plans for redevelopment led to the complete demolition of the Stadio delle Alpi, which was finalized by February 2009. The site was cleared to make way for a new 41,475-seater venue covering approximately 50,000 square metres, alongside external facilities including restaurants and other amenities. Construction on the replacement Juventus Stadium began in spring 2009, with the official opening occurring on September 8, 2011, to commence the new season. Unlike its predecessor, the new structure eliminated the athletics track, allowing stands to be positioned much closer to the action while also providing roof coverage for spectators. The redevelopment project extended beyond the pitch itself, incorporating a new training centre adjacent to the stadium, as well as buildings housing a gymnasium, hotel, and restaurant complex. Both football clubs utilized the venue from 1990 until 2006, moving their operations to the rebuilt Stadio Olimpico prior to the demolition.

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