Ahead of Euro 2032, stadiums must be nominated by the end of July
There is just over a month left to submit the documentation to the FIGC, which will then enter into discussions with the proposing bodies regarding any necessary adjustments
by Lorenzo Pace
Key points
It’s as if nothing had stopped. Between the departure of one president and the arrival of another, the FIGC has never set aside the dossier on the stadiums for the 2032 European Championships. Quite the contrary. Discussions with the bidding organisations have never ceased. The reason for this is linked to the progress of the bids for the venues for the tournament that Italia will co-host with Turkey.
And that’s not all. Because, in the meantime, the Government has continued to cooperate, particularly with a view to speeding up the procedures for modernising (or constructing) the facilities. In fact, this cooperation has gathered pace in recent months – that is, since the designated special commissioner, Massimo Sessa, was officially appointed.
The deadline for applications
Let’s start by saying that the deadline for organisations – which may comprise several entities, including clubs, regions and local councils – to submit their applications has not yet passed. Officially, the deadline is set for the end of July. Over the next 40 days, therefore, the official documentation is expected to reach the Italian Football Federation.
The FIGC’s monitoring and the selection of the five ‘favourites’
Immediately afterwards, the delicate phase of monitoring and consultation will begin, so that the Federation can request – where necessary – any clarifying documents. This is a way of preventing any issues from reaching UEFA directly. This phase will take place between August and September, when the new president, Giovanni Malagò, and the Federal Council will also have to select their five ‘preferred’ bids – that is, those to be placed at the top of the list. These will, however, be accompanied by a number of reserve venues. The process in Italia must be completed by 30 September, as UEFA will then meet in the first week of October to announce its decisions.
The situation across the 13 cities
Whilst the FIGC offices are still awaiting the official documentation, however, the picture is already taking shape. The latest Euro 2032 Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) issued at the end of May set out an initial framework for the assessment. Fifteen stadiums, spread across thirteen cities (three in Rome), and the priorities of the special commissioner have been set out in black and white. His first move, via an order issued last week which is already in force, has halved the bureaucratic process for the single authorisation for the new stadium in the capital – on the Giallorossi side – in Pietralata (see *Il Sole 24 Ore* of 16 June).
