Unipol Domus

The story of Unipol Domus begins with the terminal decline of Stadio Sant'Elia, Cagliari Calcio's historic home since 1970. After decades of deferred renovation and repeated failure to meet UEFA infrastructure requirements, the old stadium was finally shut in 2016.

Construction and opening as Sardegna Arena

A new ground was built as a provisional replacement and opened during the 2017-18 season under the name Sardegna Arena. The relatively swift construction demonstrated that a compact, functional modern stand could be delivered without decades of planning -- though the stadium was conceived explicitly as a stopgap measure for a limited number of seasons.

Rename to Unipol Domus

In 2021 a naming-rights agreement was concluded with the Unipol insurance group, giving the stadium its current name. The same year marked the formal completion of the building, ending its provisional status and establishing it as a fully operational venue. What had begun as a temporary fix was officially recognised as a permanent home.

The fate of Sant'Elia

The historic Stadio Sant'Elia has been partially demolished; plans for a brand new multipurpose complex on or near the site have existed since 2016 and have passed through multiple rounds of approval procedures without reaching construction. Until that project is delivered, Unipol Domus remains the only home Cagliari Calcio has on Sardinia.

The atmosphere at Unipol Domus reflects the passionate supporter culture of Cagliari Calcio -- a culture that on Sardinia extends well beyond sport, functioning as an expression of the island's collective identity and pride.

Fan culture

Cagliari Calcio is the only Sardinian club to compete regularly in the top tier of Italian football, and it carries the symbolic weight of representing an island of approximately 1.6 million people. Match attendees are drawn from across the whole of Sardinia -- from Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro, and the rural interior. The hardcore Curva Nord section drives the chanting and sets the tempo of support. The compact dimensions of the ground -- capacity below 17,000 -- concentrate crowd noise and generate an intensity that belies the arena's modest size. Locals describe football in Sardinia as religio laica -- a secular religion.

Big matches

Temperatures on the terraces peak during Serie A encounters with rivals such as Genoa CFC or visits from the Milan giants -- AC Milan and Inter. Cagliari Calcio also carries the prestige of the club's 1970 Serie A championship, won in the era of the legendary Gigi Riva, lending an additional historical dimension to its identity. When the club returns to Serie A after relegation, the first home fixtures at Unipol Domus are particularly charged emotionally.

Visiting Unipol Domus is straightforward, though the stadium's location on the edge of Cagliari means transport requires advance planning -- public links to the ground are limited on non-matchdays.

How to get there

• By air: Cagliari Elmas Airport (Mario Mameli) serves direct flights from across Italy and from several European cities; the stadium is approximately 15 minutes by car from the terminal
• By car: From central Cagliari, take the SS125 towards Quartu Sant'Elena; large car parks surround the stadium -- arriving at least 60 minutes before kick-off is strongly recommended on matchdays
• By bus: Cagliari's transport operator CTM runs dedicated matchday bus services from Piazza Matteotti in the city centre; timetables should be checked on the CTM website ahead of travel
• By taxi or ridesharing: A reliable option from the city centre or the airport; the distance from Piazza Yenne in central Cagliari is approximately 8 km

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Cagliari Calcio matches are available through the official club website and partner sales points. High-profile Serie A fixtures can sell out -- booking in advance is advisable. Organised stadium tours are offered on a limited basis; current availability should be checked on the club's official website.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: at least 60 minutes before kick-off, particularly for sold-out matches
• Club colours: red and blue -- rossoblu -- are the defining visual of every genuine Cagliari supporter
• Where to eat: basic food stalls operate near the stadium on matchdays; a wider choice is available in central Cagliari, including Sardinian specialities such as malloreddus and culurgiones
• Climate: Cagliari experiences high temperatures in summer and spring -- bring water and be prepared for direct sun in uncovered sections of the ground