Marassi | |
Former names | Stadio Marassi |
---|---|
Location | Genoa, Italy |
Owner | Municipality of Genoa |
Capacity | 36,600 |
Surface | Grass 105 × 68 meters |
Construction | |
Opened | 22 January 1911 |
Renovated | 1982 |
Tenants | |
U.C. Sampdoria (1946-present) |
Coordinates: 44°24′59.15″N 8°57′8.74″E / 44.4164306°N 8.9524278°E
The Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, also known as the Marassi from the name of the neighbourhood where it is located, is a multi-use stadium in Genoa, Italy. It opened in 1911 and is one of the oldest stadiums still in use for football and other sports in Italy. Aside from football, the stadium has hosted meetings of rugby in the Italian national team and, more rarely, some concerts.
It was originally built by Genoa C.F.C. in 1909, and maintained as their private property. In 1933, the stadium was named after the former Genoa player Luigi Ferraris, who died in 1915 during World War I. During World War II it was passed to municipal ownership. It is currently used for football matches for Genoa and (since 1946) Sampdoria. It also plays host to rugby union matches. It holds 36,599 spectators. English football club Preston North End original plans for their redeveloped Deepdale stadium were inspired by the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris with work starting in 1995. The ground was finally completed in 2008.
The stadium was inaugurated on 22 January 1911 with a football match between Genoa and Internazionale, and had a capacity of 20,000. On 22 December 1912, it hosted its first international, in which Italy lost 3–1 to Austria in a friendly.