Abandoned Six Nations stadium now overgrown with weeds and derelict
The stadium hosted Six Nations matches for more than a decade, but has been abandoned and left to fall into disrepair since Italy's departure in 2012
Italy's Stadio Flaminio, which once hosted Six Nations matches for over a decade, now lies derelict and decaying. The Rome-based venue has fallen into disrepair.
The 30,000-seater stadium first opened its doors in 1959, built in anticipation of the 1960 Summer Olympics. Although primarily a football ground, it became home to rugby union in 2000, marking Italy's entry into the Six Nations Championship.
Throughout its operational years, it remained the tournament's most intimate venue, but was eventually considered inadequate when Italy moved their major international matches to the considerably larger Stadio Olympico nearby. More than ten years after Italian rugby vacated the ground in 2012, the stadium remains dilapidated, although there are tentative plans for its revival.
Wales first visited the stadium in April 2001, twelve months after Italy joined the Six Nations. The Welsh side secured a 33-23 triumph, with Gareth Cooper touching down once and Scott Gibbs adding two tries to seal victory.
In the years that followed, Wales – whose latest loss to Italy became the catalyst for Warren Gatland's departure as head coach – enjoyed mixed success in the Italian capital.
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Italy recorded their first-ever win against Wales at the venue in 2003, repeating the feat four years later in 2007. By contrast, Wales secured victory at the venue on three further occasions, bringing their record to four wins and two losses at the now-abandoned arena.
Other memorable matches include Italy's 34-20 win over Scotland in their first-ever Six Nations match at the stadium in 2000, while they also sealed a memorable 23–20 win over the Scots in 2008 thanks to a last-minute drop goal by Andrea Marcato.
Over the years, the Stadio Flaminio has played host to significant sporting events.
In the 1989-1990 Serie A season, both Roma and Lazio used it as a temporary home while the Stadio Olimpico was being renovated.
The stadium has also attracted major musical performers, with David Bowie playing to 45,000 fans in 1987, while Pink Floyd and Bruce Springsteen have also taken to its stage.
Despite being refurbished in 2008, the Stadio Flaminio has fallen into serious disrepair since rugby fixtures and regular concerts stopped taking place there.
Footage available on YouTube has shown how nature has gradually overtaken the site in recent years. However, by 2021, there were signs that redevelopment could be possible.
In December 2024, Lazio president Claudio Lotito presented Rome's Mayor with a long-awaited proposal. The plan outlined converting the Stadio Flaminio into a dedicated 40,000-50,000-capacity ground for the historic club.
While Lazio currently share their home with city neighbours Roma, this vision included an exclusive stadium with a retractable roof and extensive redevelopment of the surrounding area. Rome's mayor responded positively to the preliminary plans, saying: "President Lotito and his team showed us the pre-feasibility study for the renovation of the Flaminio stadium project.
"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."
During the club's 126th anniversary celebrations earlier this year, Lotito declared that the £370million project to rebuild the stadium is a 'top priority', adding that three years represents a 'reasonable timeframe' to begin construction.
