Italy's Stadio Flaminio in Rome, which hosted Six Nations fixtures for over a decade, now lies abandoned and in a state of severe disrepair. The 30,000-capacity venue, opened in 1959 for the 1960 Summer Olympics, became the home of Italian rugby union in 2000 when Italy joined the Six Nations Championship.
The stadium was the smallest in the tournament but was eventually deemed insufficient, leading to Italy moving major international matches to the larger Stadio Olimpico. Italian rugby left the ground in 2012, and it has since deteriorated, with vegetation overgrowing the site.
Notable matches at the Flaminio include Italy's first Six Nations victory over Wales in 2003 and a dramatic 23-20 win over Scotland in 2008 courtesy of a last-minute drop goal by Andrea Marcato. Wales played there six times, winning four and losing two.
In December 2024, Lazio president Claudio Lotito presented a proposal to Rome's mayor to transform the stadium into a dedicated 40,000-50,000-capacity ground for the club, with a retractable roof and neighbourhood regeneration. The £370 million scheme is described as a 'top priority', with a three-year timeframe for work to commence.
