August 15 – Roma’s proposed Stadio della Roma may not have started its build yet but it does have management consultants contracted, emphasising AS Roma’s American president Jim Pallota’s ambition for the club to build a new home in what is a challenging local construction environment.
Newly launched AEG Facilities Global Solutions will provide pre-opening and management at the stadium services during final design and construction periods as well as event day operations.
The total master-site project budget is projected to be in excess of €2 billion with more than €400 million of that being private investment.
This money will create a new state-of-the-art 52,500-seat stadium (expandable to 60,000) for AS Roma, a new team training facility, and several entertainment and food and beverage zones. The complex will include a live entertainment amphitheatre, bars and restaurants, fan-friendly piazzas for gatherings, branded experiences, an AS Roma museum, and a team merchandise store.
Bob Newman, President, AEG Facilities, said the stadium will be an iconic venue. “This stadium is a critical piece in AS Roma’s storied history and will transform both the sports landscape and fan experience in Italy. It will be a true multi-use stadium and will host not only the world’s best soccer matches, but also concerts, festivals and other events.”
AEG, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, and works with more than 120 major venues worldwide on venue management, as well as specialised programmes in operations, guest services, ticketing, booking, sales and marketing.
At the core of the AS Roma project is the mixed-use requirement of the project to make it more than just a football stadium, hence why Pallotta has brought in US expertise. “We have total confidence in AEG’s ability to lead day-to-day stadium operations and a mix of year-round entertainment events that we plan to hold at the Stadio della Roma,” said Pallotta.
Construction is expected to start in in early 2017 and is anticipated to open for the 2019/20 Serie A season.
Rome is currently preparing a 2024 Olympic hosting bid though it is not clear whether that bid will become a reality with a number of opposing forces concerned about the potential impact on the city’s cultural heritage and monuments. But after a stop-start process with the AS Roma proposals, that stadium construction now looks like a certainty.
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