Fiorentina’s beleaguered Stadio Franchi not ready until 2029-30 season

There is another damaging new twist in the Stadio Artemio Franchi saga, as the new Mayor warns the Fiorentina stadium ‘will be completed for the 2029-30 campaign.’

This is bad news for the fans who hoped that the work would speed up, considering it has for months been reduced to very limited capacity and with part of the Curva Fiesole already knocked down.

A row erupted between the local council and Fiorentina, who had very different ideas over how to proceed and who would fund the work.

With massive delays and funding gaps, a new meeting was held today where Mayor of Florence Sara Funaro announced the change of plan.

“The overall costs are around €265m, so we are missing circa €60m to complete the stadium for the 2023 European Championship.

“The deadline is set for July 31, 2027, when I must present the project and financing to complete all the work. The Stadio Franchi will be completed and available in its totality from the 2029-30 football season.”

There are still quite a few details to be resolved, as the Mayor herself confirms, because “it would be wrong to set out a schedule now without having the businesses under contract. We have a rough estimate that in our view can be stuck to. We are considering a possible increase in overnight working hours, but to do that we need extra permission that could be allowed through the sports decree.”

Fiorentina President Rocco Commisso had wanted to build a brand new stadium, or even take control of the Stadio Franchi rebuilding work, but was denied this by the local authorities.