Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia

{{see also|History of Atalanta B.C.}}

With the growth of football in the 1920s, Atalanta needed a new stadium with considerably larger capacity than its previous grounds.{{cite web|last=Canavesi|first=Carlo|date=17 October 2019|title=112 anni di Atalanta: lo stadio di Bergamo|url=https://www.calcioatalanta.it/2019/10/17/112-anni-di-atalanta-lo-stadio-di-bergamo/|access-date=14 December 2020|website=calcioatalanta.it|language=it}} The new stadium was constructed on Viale Margherita (now Viale Giulio Cesare),{{cite web |url=https://www.diarionerazzurro.it/homepage/gli-inizi/ |title=Gli Inizi |website=mondoatalanta.it |language=it |access-date=11 January 2021}} replacing a hippodrome that once occupied the site. Construction of the new stadium took one year; it opened in 1928 and cost 3.5 million lire. The stadium was named after fascist Mario Brumana; this was common naming practice in fascist Italy.{{cite web|last=Salvatori|first=Thomas|date=2 June 2020|title=Temples of The Cult: Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo|url=https://cultofcalcio.com/temples-of-the-cult-atalanta-gewiss-stadium-bergamo/|access-date=15 December 2020|website=The Cult of Calcio}} The Brumana stadium was much larger than the Clementina field, having a seated capacity of 12,000 spectators in two tribune (side stands) and a larger field measuring {{convert|110|by|70|m|ft}};{{cite web |url=https://www.atalanta.it/stadio/ |title=Stadio |publisher=Atalanta B.C. |website=atalanta.it |language=it |access-date=29 July 2021}} it also featured a running track, as it was planned to form part of a larger complex. On 1 November 1928, Atalanta played its first unofficial match at the stadium (a 4–2 victory against Triestina); the stadium was then officially inaugurated on 23 December 1928, when Atalanta defeated La Dominante Genova 2–0 in front of over 14,000 spectators.

After World War II, the stadium was renamed the Stadio Comunale ("Municipal Stadium"), as fascism no longer existed in Italy. Expansion of the stadium began in the years following the war: the construction of a south stand (the Curva Sud) began in 1949,{{cite news |url=http://www.ecodibergamo.it/stories/bergamo-citta/latalanta-compra-lo-stadio-di-bergamodagli-anni-20-al-futuro-foto-e-video_1236049_11/ |title=Lo stadio di Bergamo: dagli anni '20 al futuro |work=L'Eco di Bergamo |language=it |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=28 July 2021}} and a second stand at the north end (the Curva Nord) followed during the 1960s, opening in 1971.{{sfn|Losapio|2020|loc=section 336}} Later, in 1984, the running track was removed in order to expand the stadium's capacity upon Atalanta's return to Serie A after five years. The club's first match in the 1984–85 Serie A, a 1–1 draw against Inter, had an attendance of over 43,000 spectators, a record attendance for the Stadio Comunale.{{sfn|Losapio|2020|loc=section 336}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bergamonews.it/2013/05/08/atalanta-juventusverso-i-24mila-spettatorisara-record-dincassi/174333/ |title=Atalanta–Juventus, verso i 24mila spettatori: sarà record d'incassi? |publisher=BergamoNews |date=8 May 2013 |language=it |access-date=29 July 2021}}{{efn|The club's home attendance record was later broken in 2020, though that match was not played in Bergamo.{{sfn|Losapio|2020|loc=section 336}}}}

File:The Gewiss Stadium in 2018.jpg

File:The Gewiss Stadium in 2020.jpg

The Tribuna Giulio Cesare underwent modernization during the early 1990s, and the stadium was renamed the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia ("Blue Athletes of Italy") in 1994. In 1997, following the death of 22-year-old forward Federico Pisani in a car accident, the Curva Nord was nicknamed the Curva Pisani in his honor.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/federico-pisani-atalanta-scomparso-22-anni-incidente/m1xjgy3zlf0r10h9eweb1opmd |date=12 August 2020 |title=Federico Pisani, il talento dell'Atalanta scomparso a 22 anni in un incidente stradale |website=Goal.com |access-date=18 December 2020}} Similarly, the Curva Sud was nicknamed the Curva Morosini in 2012 to posthumously honor 25-year-old youth academy player Piermario Morosini,{{cite web |url=https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2012/04/atalanta-pay-tribute-to-piermario-morosini-by-renaming-the-curva-sud/ |title=Atalanta pay tribute to Piermario Morosini by renaming the Curva Sud |publisher=Forza Italian Football |date=17 April 2012}} who died following collapse on the field during a Serie B match between Pescara and Livorno.{{cite news|title=Italy footballer Morosini dies after collapse on pitch|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17714715|access-date=14 April 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=14 April 2012}} In 2015, the stadium also expanded its side stands to offer pitchside views only several meters (feet) from the benches, a revolutionary feature of Italian stadiums at the time. This phase of improvements also included improved bench facilities for players and the introduction of luxury boxes atop the grandstand.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Atalanta/29-08-2015/atalanta-esordio-nuovo-stadio-bisbigliare-consigli-reja-zero-barriere-1201134605183.shtml|title=L'Atalanta all'esordio nel "nuovo" stadio C'è chi potrà bisbigliare consigli a Reja|language=it|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|date=29 August 2015|access-date=4 December 2017}} New seating areas for disabled spectators were also added. At the same time, the press box has been lowered and moved towards the pitch. These improvements came with a reduction in overall capacity by around 3,000 seats. The club paid €2.6 million for the first phase of redevelopment.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/107361/official-atalanta-buy-stadium|title=Official: Atalanta buy stadium|publisher=football-italia.net|date=8 August 2017|access-date=4 December 2017}}

On 10 May 2017, Atalanta announced the acquisition of the stadium from the comune for 8.6 million euros, becoming one of only four Serie A clubs to own its home stadium.{{cite web|date=10 May 2017|title=Serie A side Atalanta agree deal to buy stadium|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-italy-att-stadium/soccer-serie-a-side-atalanta-agree-deal-to-buy-stadium-idUKL4N1IC4U9|access-date=17 December 2020|website=Reuters}}{{efn|The other three are Juventus, Sassuolo, and Udinese. All the remaining Serie A clubs play in municipally-owned stadiums.}} This acquisition allowed the club to authorize a renovation project for the stadium, for like many Italian stadiums, much of its structure and facilities were considered outdated.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/07/atalanta-serie-a-club-guide-ground-ultras-caniggia|title=Atalanta: Serie A alternative club guide |first=Richard |last=Hall |date=7 January 2014 |work=The Guardian}} This renovation project was also necessary to upgrade the stadium to meet UEFA standards for hosting matches in UEFA competitions. Because the stadium was not ready at the time, Atalanta had to play its Europa League home matches at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia and its Champions League home matches in its debut season at San Siro in Milan.{{cite web |url=https://football-italia.net/why-are-atalanta-playing-in-reggio-emilia/ |title=Why are Atalanta playing in Reggio Emilia? |author=Gaby |date=14 September 2017 |publisher=Football Italia |access-date=26 July 2021}}{{cite web |date=11 July 2019 |title=Atalanta to play at San Siro |url=https://www.football-italia.net/140653/atalanta-play-san-siro |access-date=13 July 2019 |publisher=Football Italia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602102706/https://football-italia.net/atalanta-to-play-at-san-siro-2/ |archive-date=2 June 2021}} Despite not playing in Bergamo, though thanks to the additional capacity of San Siro, Atalanta recorded its record home attendance of 44,236 during a Champions League knockout stage match against Valencia on 19 February 2020.{{sfn|Losapio|2020|loc=section 336}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/560964 |title=Atalanta vs. Valencia – Football Match Summary |date=19 February 2020 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=29 July 2021}}

Following a sponsorship agreement with electronics company Gewiss lasting at least until 2025, the stadium was renamed the Gewiss Stadium on 1 July 2019.{{cite web |url=https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/news/gewiss-takes-naming-rights-to-atalanta-stadium/ |title=Gewiss takes naming rights to Atalanta stadium |publisher=SportBusiness Sponsorship |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.atalanta.it/news/lo-stadio-di-bergamo-diventa-gewiss-stadium/ |title=Lo Stadio di Bergamo diventa Gewiss Stadium |website=atalanta.it |date=1 July 2019 |language=it}} On 30 April 2019, a new phase of renovations began with the demolition of the Curva Nord "Federico Pisani" (North Stand).{{cite news |url=https://www.foxsports.it/2019/04/28/atalanta-nuovo-stadio/ |work=Fox Sports |language=it |access-date=13 July 2019 |date=28 April 2019 |title=Atalanta, il nuovo stadio nel 2021: al via la demolizione della Nord |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713131107/https://www.foxsports.it/2019/04/28/atalanta-nuovo-stadio/ |archive-date=13 July 2019}} On 6 October 2019, the renovated Curva Nord was inaugurated for Atalanta's home match against Lecce;{{Cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Atalanta/06-10-2019/atalanta-lecce-serie-a-settima-giornata-bergamo-gewiss-stadium-35037555779.shtml |title=Atalanta, dolce ritorno! Tris col Lecce nel rinnovato Gewiss Stadium |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=6 October 2019}} it has covered seating for over 9,000 spectators.{{cite news |url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/bergamo/atalanta/curva-nuovo-stadio-1.4814585 |title=Atalanta, ecco la nuova Curva Nord: un gioiello 'british' da oltre 9.000 posti a sedere |work=Il Giorno |date=2 October 2019 |language=it |access-date=29 July 2021}} A year later, both side stands underwent modernization and the Curva Sud had temporary seats installed on the concrete.{{cite web |url=https://www.bergamonews.it/2020/08/03/lavori-in-tribuna-ubi-e-curva-sud-latalanta-vuol-giocare-la-champions-a-bergamo/386734/ |title=Lavori in Tribuna Ubi e Curva Sud: L'Atalanta vuol giocare la Champions a Bergamo |publisher=Bergamo News |date=3 August 2020 |language=it |access-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/atalanta/2020/09/25-74179755/il_gewiss_stadium_e_pronto_per_l_atalanta_restyling_completato |title=Il Gewiss Stadium è pronto per l'Atalanta: restyling completato |date=25 September 2020 |work=Tuttosport |language=it |access-date=29 July 2021}} These upgrades allowed Atalanta to play its Champions League matches in Bergamo starting in the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/160280/official-atalanta-champions-league-games-bergamo |title=Official: Atalanta Champions League games in Bergamo |publisher=Football Italia |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=19 December 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028235037/https://www.football-italia.net/160280/official-atalanta-champions-league-games-bergamo |archive-date=28 October 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/10/07/soccer/1602107432_779816.html |title=Atalanta get green light for Champions League home games |work=Diario AS |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=29 July 2021}} The final phase will feature a rebuilt Curva Sud (mirroring the rebuilt Curva Nord), which will increase the stadium's capacity to about 25,000, as well as construction of a new underground parking garage and other improvements to the stadium's surroundings.{{cite web |url=http://stadiumdb.com/news/2021/05/bergamo_atalanta_announces_third_phase_of_stadiums_revamp |title=Bergamo: Atalanta announces third phase of stadium revamp |website=StadiumDB.com |date=2 May 2021 |access-date=29 July 2021}} It was originally expected to be completed in 2021, though was delayed until February or March 2022;{{cite web |url=https://www.calcioatalanta.it/2021/04/22/tempistiche-dei-lavori-per-lo-stadio-a-giugno-si-parte-in-curva-morosini/ |title=Tempistiche dei lavori per lo stadio: a giugno si parte in Curva Morosini |last=Maggi |first=Filippo |language=it |website=calcioatalanta.it |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021}} the start of construction was then further delayed to spring 2024, with expected completion in August of that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.ecodibergamo.it/stories/premium/bergamo-citta/stadio-latalanta-frena-la-nuova-curva-sud-pronta-ad-agosto-2024_1430878_11/ |title=Stadio, l'Atalanta frena: la nuova curva Sud pronta ad agosto 2024 |work=L'Eco di Bergamo |language=it |last=Nikpalj |first=Dino |date=4 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022}} Atalanta will still be able to play its home matches at the Gewiss Stadium during construction.

The Gewiss Stadium has also hosted various international matches, though was not selected as a venue in any of the international tournaments hosted by Italy. The Italy national team's most recent match at the Gewiss Stadium was a 1–1 draw with the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League on 14 October 2020. Prior to this, Italy had not played an international match in Bergamo since 2006; renovations to the stadium in 2019–2020 brought it up to UEFA standards. This match was played in Bergamo as a homage to the city, as it was an early epicenter during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/14-10-2020/italia-olanda-applausi-medici-sindaci-gewiss-stadium-bergamo-3802816956018.shtml |title=Italia–Olanda, applausi ai medici e sindaci al Gewiss Stadium di Bergamo |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=14 October 2020 |language=it |access-date=23 July 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/nations-league/2020/09/21/nazionale-bergamo-italia-olanda-nations-league |title=Italia, la sfida contro l'Olanda al Gewiss: Azzurri a Bergamo 14 anni dopo |publisher=Sky Sport |language=it |date=21 September 2020 |access-date=23 July 2022}}

{{Football box

|id = Italy v Turkey

|date = {{Start date|1964|03|11|df=y}}

|stadium = Stadio Comunale, Bergamo

|event = Football at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA}}

|team2 = {{fb-rt|TUR}}

|score = 7–1

}}

{{Football box

|id = Italy v Malta

|date = {{Start date|1987|01|24|df=y}}

|time = 14:30 CET

|stadium = Stadio Comunale, Bergamo

|event = UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA}}

|team2 = {{fb-rt|MLT}}

|score = 5–0

|referee= Hadjistefanou (Cyprus)

|goals1 =

• Bagni {{goal|4}}
• Bergomi {{goal|9}}
• Altobelli {{goal|24||35}}
• Vialli {{goal|45}}

|report = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=8794

}}

{{Football box

|id = Italy v Turkey

|date = {{Start date|2006|11|15|df=y}}

|time = 20:50 CET

|stadium = Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

|event = Friendly

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA}}

|team2 = {{fb-rt|TUR}}

|report = http://www.repubblica.it/2006/11/sezioni/sport/calcio/nazionale/ita-turchia-amichevole/ita-turchia-amichevole/ita-turchia-amichevole.html/

|score = 1–1

|attendance = 21,334

|referee = Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

|goals1 =

• Di Natale {{goal|39}}

|goals2 =

• Materazzi {{goal|43|o.g.}}

}}

{{Football box

|id = Ukraine v Albania

|date = {{Start date|2016|06|03|df=y}}

|time = 20:30 CEST

|event = Friendly

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UKR}}

|team2 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}

|score = 3–1

|report = http://www.calcio.com/cronaca_partita/freundschaft-2016-juni-albanien-ukraine/

|stadium = Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

|attendance = 10,496

|referee = Paolo Mazzoleni (Italy)

|goals1 =

• Stepanenko {{goal|8}}
• Yarmolenko {{goal|49}}
• Konoplyanka {{goal|87}}

|goals2 =

• Sadiku {{goal|12}}

}}

{{Football box

|id = Egypt v Colombia

|date = {{Start date|2018|06|01|df=y}}

|time = 21:15 CEST

|event = Friendly

|team1 = {{fb-rt|EGY}}

|team2 = {{fb-rt|COL}}

|score = 0–0

|report = http://www.calcio.com/cronaca_partita/freundschaft-2018-juni-aegypten-kolumbien/

|stadium = Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

|attendance = 3,883

|referee = Paolo Mazzoleni (Italy)

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

}}

{{Football box

|id=Italy v Netherlands

|date={{Start date|2020|10|14|df=y}}

|time=20:45

|event = 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A

|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA}}

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2030054/

|team2 = {{fb|NED}}

|goals1 =

• Pellegrini {{goal|16}}

|goals2 =

• Van de Beek {{goal|25}}

|stadium = Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo

|attendance = 623{{UEFA match attendance|2030054|Italy vs. Netherlands|date=14 October 2020|access-date=19 November 2020}}

|referee = Anthony Taylor (England)

}}

The Gewiss Stadium received the Most Valuable Field award during the Serie A Awards in 2023.{{Cite tweet |number=1669715929087836162|user=Atalanta_BC|title=𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 🥇 Il #Gewiss Stadium è il miglior terreno di gioco della @SerieA2022/23 🏟 👉 https://atalanta.it/news/il-gewiss-stadium-e-il-miglior-campo-2022-2023-della-serie-a/ The Gewiss Stadium playing surface has been named the best in @SerieA_EN in 2022/23 👏 |date=16 June 2023 |access-date=19 August 2023}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last1=Corbani |first1=Elio |last2=Serina |first2=Pietro |title=Cent'anni di Atalanta |publisher=SESAAB |year=2007 |isbn=978-88-903088-0-2 |location=Bergamo |language=it |ref=CITEREFCorbani2007}}
• {{Cite book |last=Losapio |first=Andrea |title=1001 storie e curiosità sulla grande Atalanta che dovresti conoscere |publisher=Newton Compton Editori |year=2020 |isbn=978-88-227-4635-1 |location=Rome |language=it }}

• [https://www.footballstadiums360.com/stadiums/atalanta-bc-stadio-atleti-azzurri-ditalia-360/ Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia Virtual Tour]

{{Atalanta B.C.}}

{{Serie A venues}}

Category:UC AlbinoLeffe

Category:Atalanta BC

Atleti Azzurri d'Italia

Category:Buildings and structures in Bergamo

Category:Sports venues in Lombardy

Category:Tourist attractions in Bergamo

Category:Sports venues completed in 1928

Category:1928 establishments in Italy

Atleti