Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore

The stadium has a relatively short but eventful history, reflecting the fortunes of two local clubs and the broader transformation of northern Italian football infrastructure.

Construction and opening

Construction began in August 1994 and was completed at an exceptional pace -- the stadium opened in April 1995, less than one year from groundbreaking. The original name was Stadio Giglio (Lily Stadium), referencing the symbol on Reggio Emilia's civic coat of arms. The ground was designed to UEFA standards and intended from the outset to serve both local professional clubs: AC Reggiana and the then less prominent US Sassuolo. Both clubs moved here from older, less suitable facilities.

Major renovations

In 2013 the stadium was renamed from Stadio Giglio to Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore under a naming-rights deal with Mapei, whose owner Giorgio Squinzi was simultaneously president of US Sassuolo. This direct alignment between sponsor, club owner, and stadium naming was unusually transparent even by Italian football standards. The ground has undergone incremental infrastructure and technical upgrades over the years, but its basic architecture and capacity have remained unchanged.

Notable moments

US Sassuolo played some of the most celebrated matches in its history at this stadium during its Serie A years, regularly defeating Juventus, Internazionale, and AC Milan in upsets that captured Italian football's attention. AC Reggiana's Serie A campaign in the 1990s brought packed stands and a passionate atmosphere to a club then at the height of its ambitions. The stadium also served Italy's national team for training and lower-profile international fixtures, underlining its UEFA-standard credentials.

The atmosphere at Mapei Stadium has a distinctive dual character shaped by two clubs with different supporter cultures sharing the same ground: the deep-rooted local identity of AC Reggiana and the more recently constructed, commercially ambitious profile of US Sassuolo.

Fan culture

AC Reggiana supporters have strong community roots -- the club has long been a symbol of working-class Reggio Emilia, and its ultras groups are embedded in the tradition of Italian terrace culture. US Sassuolo, by contrast, built much of its fanbase during the Serie A era, drawing supporters from across the Emilia-Romagna region. The two sets of supporters occupy separate sections of the ground. With a capacity of around 21,500, the stadium produces an intimate, enclosed atmosphere that large Italian arenas rarely generate -- proximity to the pitch is a defining feature.

Big matches

Among the most memorable occasions were Sassuolo's victories over Juventus and Internazionale in their Serie A years. A 3-1 win over Juventus in 2016 was one of the season's biggest shocks and produced a euphoric atmosphere that the compact ground amplified powerfully. AC Reggiana's Serie A matches in the mid-1990s under ambitious coaching drew full houses and the intensity that characterised that golden era of Italian football. Any derby encounter between the two clubs when competing in the same division is the defining fixture of the regional football calendar.

Visiting Mapei Stadium is straightforward -- it is a modern, well-equipped ground in a city with good transport links, conveniently positioned between Parma and Modena on the Via Emilia corridor.

How to get there

• Train: Reggio Emilia has two stations -- the main Reggio Emilia station and the newer high-speed Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana station. From the main station, the stadium is approximately 3 km by taxi or local bus
• Bus: SETA local buses connect the main railway station to the stadium area; extra services are typically run on matchdays
• Car: Generous parking surrounds the stadium; the ground is accessible from the SS9 Via Emilia main road or the A1 motorway (Reggio Emilia exit)
• From Milan or Bologna: Take a high-speed train to Mediopadana station, then taxi or connecting bus to the ground

Tickets and tours

Tickets for US Sassuolo and AC Reggiana matches are available via the respective club websites and Italian ticketing platforms such as TicketOne. Serie B fixtures for Reggiana are generally available close to matchday. Sassuolo's Serie A matches against top clubs were in higher demand and advance booking was advisable. Stadium tours for individual visitors are not a standard offering outside matchdays.

Visitor tips

• Food before the match: Reggio Emilia is the birthplace of Parmigiano Reggiano -- make use of the city-centre bars and restaurants before heading to the stadium
• When to arrive: At least 45 minutes before kick-off; car parks fill up quickly for popular fixtures
• Local detour: The city centre is worth a short visit -- Piazza Prampolini and the museum displaying the original Italian tricolour flag are both within easy walking distance
• Weather: The Po Valley is known for damp, foggy winters -- warm layers are recommended for evening fixtures from October through March