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Eerie Six Nations stadium left abandoned as images show 30,000-seater venue in tatters

The arena hosted Six Nations matches for more than a decade, but has been abandoned and left to fall into disrepair

[Aerial view of Flaminio Stadium in Rome]

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An aerial view of Flaminio Stadium in Rome(Image: Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Italy's Stadio Flaminio, which hosted Six Nations fixtures for more than a decade, now stands abandoned and crumbling. The Rome venue has deteriorated significantly.

The 30,000-capacity stadium opened in 1959, constructed ahead of the 1960 Summer Olympics. Whilst predominantly a football venue, it became rugby union's home in 2000, coinciding with Italy's entrance into the Six Nations Championship.

During its active period, it remained the tournament's smallest venue, but was ultimately deemed insufficient when Italy relocated their major international fixtures to the substantially bigger Stadio Olympico close by.

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Over a decade since Italian rugby departed the ground in 2012, the stadium remains in a state of disrepair, though tentative plans for its regeneration exist.

Wales first played at the stadium in April 2001, a year after Italy entered the Six Nations. The Welsh team claimed a 33-23 victory, with Gareth Cooper scoring once and Scott Gibbs crossing twice to secure the win.

In subsequent years, Wales - whose recent defeat to Italy prompted Warren Gatland's exit as head coach - experienced varying fortunes in the Italian capital.

Italy celebrated their first-ever victory against Wales at the venue in 2003, a triumph they managed to replicate four years later in 2007. On the other hand, Wales clinched victory at the venue three more times, making their record four wins and two losses at the now-deserted arena.

Other notable matches include Italy's 34-20 victory over Scotland in their inaugural Six Nations match at the stadium in 2000, as well as a thrilling 23-20 win over the Scots in 2008, courtesy of a last-minute drop goal by Andrea Marcato.

[The old Flaminio stadium]

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The old Flaminio stadium is set to be restored(Image: Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Over time, the Stadio Flaminio has been the backdrop for significant sporting events. During the 1989-1990 Serie A season, both Roma and Lazio used it as a temporary home while renovations were underway at the Stadio Olimpico.

The stadium has also drawn major music acts, with David Bowie performing to a crowd of 45,000 fans in 1987, while Pink Floyd and Bruce Springsteen have also graced its stage.

Despite undergoing refurbishment in 2008, the Stadio Flaminio has sadly fallen into severe disrepair since rugby matches and regular concerts ceased. YouTube footage reveals how nature has slowly reclaimed the site over recent years. However, by 2021, there were indications that redevelopment might be on the cards.

In December 2024, Lazio president Claudio Lotito presented Rome's Mayor with a long-awaited proposal. The plan proposed transforming the Stadio Flaminio into a dedicated 40,000-50,000-capacity ground for the historic club.

[The stadium has now become overgrown with weeds]

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The stadium has now become overgrown with weeds and plants(Image: Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Whilst Lazio presently share the Stadio Olimpico with cross-city rivals Roma, the ambitious proposal features a dedicated stadium complete with a retractable roof and significant regeneration of the wider neighbourhood.

Rome's mayor welcomed the initial blueprints, saying: "President Lotito and his team showed us the pre-feasibility study for the renovation of the Flaminio stadium project.

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"A beautiful project, it will have to be examined in detail, but we are happy that it has been announced that the proposal will be formally launched, thus triggering the administrative procedure.

"Now, we will work to examine it in detail. It seems that Lazio has moved from intentions to will to concrete facts. From here to a few hours we expect that what they presented to us, also with video, will become an official request with all the necessary documentation."

At the club's 126th anniversary celebrations earlier this year, Lotito announced that the 370 million scheme to reconstruct the stadium represents a 'top priority', suggesting three years constitutes a 'reasonable timeframe' for work to commence.

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