Curva B

Lore & Background

The club was formed in 1926 as Associazione Calcio Napoli following the merger of US Internazionale Napoli and Naples Foot-Ball Club. Napoli saw relatively little success in their early years, not winning their first major trophy until the 1962 Coppa Italia. The club enjoyed increased success in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the 1976 Coppa Italia and reaching new heights following the arrival of Diego Maradona in 1984. During his time with Napoli, the club won their first two league titles, in 1987 and 1990. His seven seasons in Naples also saw them win the 1987 Coppa Italia, the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana, and the 1989 UEFA Cup—their only European trophy. Following Maradona's departure in 1991 however, Napoli struggled financially, and endured relegations and a bankruptcy prior to being re-founded in 2004 by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis. Napoli returned to Serie A three years later, and have been among the top clubs in Italian football since, winning three Coppa Italia (2012, 2014, and 2020), one Supercoppa Italiana (2014), and one Serie A title (2022–23).

In Their Own Story

The air inside Curva B is thick with the scent of smoke and anticipation. As the match clock ticks into the dying minutes, a low hum begins to rise from the thousands of scarves held aloft. A single flare ignites, casting an orange glow over faces painted in blue and white, before the roar erupts—a deafening, rhythmic chant that shakes the concrete foundations. In this moment, there is no distinction between player and fan; they are one entity, breathing as one, screaming for glory against a backdrop of Neapolitan night.

Reader's Guide

Since 1959, the club has played its home games at the Stadio San Paolo, which was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona following his death in 2020. Napoli traditionally wear sky blue shirts, white shorts, and sky blue socks at home and white shirts, white or sky blue shorts, and white or sky blue socks away; this is derived from the shirts of Naples FBC and the shorts of Internazionale Napoli after the clubs merged to form Napoli's predecessor Internaples in 1922. Napoli have rivalries with Juventus, Roma (Derby del Sole), Internazionale, AC Milan and Salernitana (Derby of Campania). The club's anthem is "Napoli", one of the major hits of the Neapolitan singer Nino D'Angelo.

Did You Know?

• Napoli was formed in 1926 from the merger of US Internazionale Napoli and Naples Foot-Ball Club.
• Diego Maradona played for Napoli from 1984 to 1991, leading them to their first two Serie A titles.
• Napoli won their only European trophy, the UEFA Cup, in 1989.
• The club was re-founded in 2004 by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis after bankruptcy.
• Napoli's home stadium was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in 2020.