Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia

Lore & Background

The stadium opened in 1928, replacing a hippodrome, and was originally named after fascist Mario Brumana. After World War II, it was renamed Stadio Comunale. It was renamed Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in 1994. The Curva Nord was nicknamed Curva Pisani in 1997 after Federico Pisani, and the Curva Sud was nicknamed Curva Morosini in 2012 after Piermario Morosini. Atalanta purchased the stadium in 2017. Renovations included demolition and rebuilding of the Curva Nord in 2019, and the Curva Sud opened in September 2024. The stadium was renamed Gewiss Stadium in 2019, and after that sponsorship ended, it became the New Balance Arena in 2025.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Curva Nord hangs thick with anticipation as the floodlights hum against the Bergamo night sky. A single drumbeat echoes from the terraces, quickly joined by a second, then a hundred, until the rhythm shakes the very foundations of the stands. The sea of blue and black flags creates a moving tide, surging in unison with the chants that rise like a physical force toward the pitch. Below, the players pause for a moment, heads bowed, feeling the weight of history pressing down before they sprint back into the fray, fueled by the roar of their home.

Reader's Guide

The stadium is located in Bergamo, Italy. It has a capacity of 23,439 seats. Atalanta's under-23 team and youth team sometimes play competitive matches there. The stadium has also been used by AlbinoLeffe from 2003 to 2019 and for various Italy national team matches. The Italy national team's most recent match there was a 1–1 draw with the Netherlands on 14 October 2020.

Did You Know?

• The stadium's record attendance was over 43,000 spectators for a 1984–85 Serie A match against Inter.
• Atalanta played its first unofficial match at the stadium on 1 November 1928, a 4–2 victory against Triestina.
• The stadium received the Most Valuable Field award during the Serie A Awards in 2023.

Origins and Early Evolution

Constructed during football's boom in the 1920s, this venue replaced a former hippodrome on Viale Margherita to accommodate Atalanta's growing ambitions. Initially named after fascist official Mario Brumana, reflecting the era's political naming conventions, the ground featured two side stands and a running track, offering a significantly larger capacity than its predecessor. Following World War II, the stadium was renamed Stadio Comunale as fascism faded from Italian life.

Modernization and Ownership Shifts

A landmark shift happened in May 2017 when Atalanta purchased the venue from the municipality for 8.6 million euros, becoming one of only four Serie A clubs to own their home ground. This acquisition enabled extensive renovations required to meet UEFA standards, which were necessary after the club was forced to play European matches at San Siro and in Reggio Emilia during construction. The project included demolishing and rebuilding the Curva Nord with covered seating for over 9,000 fans, allowing Champions League matches to return to Bergamo by the 2020–21 season.

Commercial Identity and Recent Upgrades

Sponsorship deals have played a central role in defining the stadium's modern identity. While side stands were modernized shortly after, the project faced delays regarding the new Curva Sud, which was originally slated for completion in 2021.

International Significance and Versatility

Beyond serving as Atalanta's fortress, this Bergamo venue has hosted significant international fixtures, though it never served as a tournament venue for major competitions held in Italy. Its most recent international appearance was a UEFA Nations League draw against the Netherlands on October 14, 2020. The ground has also demonstrated versatility by hosting competitive matches for Atalanta's youth and under-23 squads. This dual usage highlighted the stadium's importance to the broader local football community before AlbinoLeffe eventually relocated to Gorgonzola.