Stadio Luigi Ferraris: Home of Genoa and Sampdoria, Italy's Historic Football Arena

When you think of Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Italy’s oldest major football stadium and the shared home of Genoa and Sampdoria. Also known as Marassi Stadium, it’s where some of Italy’s most intense local rivalries come to life. Opened in 1911, this ground has seen more than a century of passion, chaos, and unforgettable goals—no other stadium in Italy has hosted top-flight matches for so long without a full rebuild.

It’s not just a venue—it’s a living archive. Genoa, Italy’s oldest football club, founded in 1893, calls it home, and so does Sampdoria, the club born from a 1946 merger of two Genoa teams. When these two face off, the entire city of Genoa holds its breath. The stands shake, the air smells like grilled sardines and old leather, and the noise? It’s like nothing else in Serie A. You won’t find fancy luxury boxes or LED screens here—just raw, unfiltered football history.

The stadium’s layout is simple but effective: two long stands, a curved end, and a pitch that’s seen legends like Gianluca Vialli, Paolo Maldini, and Diego Maradona play. It’s not the biggest—under 30,000 seats—but it’s one of the most authentic. You’ll find fans singing in dialect, kids selling scarves on the steps, and grandfathers who’ve been coming since the 1960s. The pitch has been relaid, the lighting upgraded, and safety rules tightened, but the soul? Still the same.

What makes Stadio Luigi Ferraris special isn’t just the matches—it’s the stories behind them. The 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup final. The 2005 derby where Sampdoria came back from 3-0 down. The 2024 Serie A clash where Genoa’s last-minute winner sent 25,000 fans storming the pitch. These aren’t just highlights—they’re part of the city’s identity.

Below, you’ll find real match reports from this stadium—games where the pressure was high, the fans were loud, and the outcome mattered. Whether it’s Genoa fighting to stay up, Sampdoria chasing European spots, or a surprise cup upset, these stories capture what makes this place more than concrete and steel. It’s where football still feels like family.