Stadio San Nicola

Stadio San Nicola was constructed between 1987 and 1990 to serve as a playing venue for the 1990 World Cup.

The ground was planned by Genovese architect Renzo Piano, who dubbed it "the spaceship", because of the similarities in shape. The original design did not include an athletics track, but this was later added at the request of Italian Olympic Committee CONI.

Stadio San Nicola was formally inaugurated on the 3rd of June 1990 with a match between Bari and Milan (2-0). The ground replaced Bari's previous ground Stadio Comunale, also called Stadio della Vittoria.

Throughout the 1990 World Cup, Stadio San Nicola staged a total of five matches, among which three first round group matches, the round of 16 match between Czechoslavakia and Costa Rica (4-1), and the match for third place between Italy and England (2-1).

One year later, in 1991, the ground was the venue for the European cup final between Crvena Zvezda and Olympique de Marseille (0-0).

Most characteristic aspect of the ground is its upper tier consisting of 26 separate petals.

Stadio San Nicola has turned out to be much too big for Bari, and a lack of maintenance has resulted in a heavily deteriorated state. Bari have as a result considered redeveloping the ground into a smaller version, although are lacking the funds to do so.

In 2020, the ground underwent a small refurbishment including the replacement of the upper tier seats for new ones.

Stadio San Nicola stands on the southern edge of the city of Bari, almost 8 kilometres from Bari's historic centre and 5.5 kilometres from Bari's central railway station.

The ground lies just south of the Tangenziale di Bari, the city's ring road. Take exit 10B. The ground is signposted coming from the west.

Stadio San Nicola is accessible by bus 20 or 71 from the central rail station, though it is not an easy connect and expect the trip to take at minimum 50 minutes. Line 71 is quicker but stops further away from the ground on the other side of the motorway and requires another 20 minutes on footing. Bus 20 only stops at the ground on the way back to wait for it to turn back or get off and take a bus in the other direction once past the ground.

Address: Stadio San Nicola, Strada Torrebella, 70124 Bari

Admission for Bari matches are available at the ticket windows of gate 22 at the ground, or at one of the sales outlets.

Bari never sell out in the Serie B.

Tickets range in price from €13.50 for one of the curves to €32.00 for a central seat at the main stand.