July 25 – Just days after pulling out of a deal that would see the Friedkin Group acquire Premier League side Everton, vice-president Ryan Friedkin has said they will spend €1 billion on a new stadium for their Serie A club Roma, as they attempt to progress their long-sought exit from the Stadio Olimpico.
The club gave the first look at the design concept for its proposed new stadium in the Pietralata district of Rome, saying it will feature the largest single stand in Europe. The stadium has a targeted delivery in 2027.
Friedkin and Roma CEO Lina Souloukou, met on Wednesday with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, to discuss the plans for the new stadium, which is set to have a 55,000 capacity, extendable to 62,000.
Famed stadium architects Populous will be responsible for bringing the project to life. The firm are also involved in the plans for the 115,000-seater in Casablanca ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
“We are very happy, there are no problems, we are determined to build a beautiful stadium for the city,” said Friedkin.
“It was an honour to meet Mayor Gualtieri today, and present our vision for the new stadium. This extraordinary stadium is not only a new home for As Roma and its fans, but also a point of reference for all the citizens of Rome.
“The new Curva Sud, destined to become the largest Curva Sud in Europe, will be a powerful focal point, embodying the passion and energy of our supporters. With its design inspired by classical Roman architecture and state-of-the-art facilities, the stadium will offer a world-class experience for everyone from football fans to the local community. As committed custodians of As Roma, we are committed to creating a space that embodies the spirit and tradition of our club, while becoming a global symbol of innovation and excellence and a model of environmental responsibility.”
Roma will meet Everton in a pre-season friendly at Goodison Park on August 10. While the Friedkin Group pulled out of the acquisition of Everton, they remain committed to the club after having turned £200 million they had paid into the club when negotiations were on-going, into a longer term loan
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