Via del mare Stadium Capacity, Tickets, Seating Plan, Records, Location, Parking
The Stadio Ettore Giardiniero – Via del mare, known as Stadio Via del mare, is a multi-use stadium in Lecce, Italy. It is used primarily for soccer games and is the home of the U.S. Lecce. The stadium was built in 1966 and has a capacity of 40,670 seats. It takes its name from the street that leads to the sea and from Lecce Mayor at the time of the first renovation of the stadium in 1985.
| Built In: | 1996 |
| Capacity: | 40,670 |
| Home Teams: | Lecce |
Via del mare Stadium History
Via del Mare was inaugurated on September 11, 1966, during a friendly between the U.S. Lecce and Spartak Moscow. The stadium replaced the old Stadio Carlo Pranzo, named after a young Lecce soldier killed in World War I. On October 2 of that year, the first match between teams from Italy was played and Lecce beat local rivals Taranto 1-0. In 1967 Lecce played here a friendly against the famous Santos de Pelé.
The initial capacity was 16,000 spectators. In 1976, the capacity was increased to 20,500 seats. With Lecce’s historic first promotion to Serie A in 1985, the stadium was almost completely rebuilt and the capacity increased considerably to 55,000, making it the sixth largest stadium in Italy by capacity until the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Both the Curva Nord, now the terrace of the organized fans led by Ultrà Lecce, and the Curva Sud, where Gioventù has its headquarters, were rebuilt. The grandstand and Distinti were also upgraded and then, to ensure all seats were numbered, the capacity was reduced to 40,670 seats.
The seats are colored red and yellow (the colors of US Lecce) and on the Est Grandstand there is an inscription of “US Lecce”. After this near-total renovation, the Lecce stadium, along with Udine’s Stadio Friuli, was the only stadium ready for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. However, funding for a venue allocated to the Apulia region went to the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, which caused some controversy.
During the first day of the 2007-08 Serie B championship, the stadium’s press room bears the name of local journalist Sergio Vantaggiato, who died in tragic circumstances in August 2007. The plaque was presented by his son, Martino, in the presence of various local authorities, the address of U.S. Lecce, and some journalists from different newspapers.
On November 1, 2007, during a regular training session, lightning struck the ground and killed Antonio De Giorgi, Lecce USA’s equipment manager.
During the 2009–10 season, the stadium hosted then Serie B club Gallipoli’s home games, as their stadium was declared unfit as a Serie B venue.
On August 22, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly between Lecce and Valencia, won by the Spanish team (0-3).
On August 12, 2017, the stadium hosted a friendly match between Inter and Real Betis. Inter won 1-0. On August 4, 2018, the stadium hosted a 2018 International Champions Cup match between Inter and Lyon. Inter won 1-0.
Stadium Capacity
Via del mare Stadium has a seating capacity of 40,670.
Via del mare Stadium Seating Plan
Not Yet.
Notable Events & Records
Events
The stadium hosted a speech by Pope John Paul II in 1994.
From 14 to 17 July 2011 the stadium hosted the Italia Wave festival with Lou Reed, Kaiser Chiefs, Paolo Nutini and many other artists.
Upcoming Events
Not Yet.
Parking
Not Yet.
