The capital city of Rome has a rich history – with sport very much at its centre. Football is the most popular sport in the city, home to two of Italy’s most successful teams and playing to host the Final of the FIFA World Cup twice. It is however perhaps the 1960 Summer Olympics, which the city hosted with great success that has left the biggest legacy, with the world famous Stadio Olimpico and other venues still much in use today.
Sport in Rome
Football in Rome
Rome is home to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, the Derby della Capitale between Serie A clubs S.S. Lazio and A.S. Roma. Lazio were founded in 1900 and have won the Serie A title twice (1973-74 & 1999-2000), the Coppa Italia on seven occasions and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup once. Rome were founded in 1927 and have won the Serie A title three times (1941-42, 1982-83 & 2000-01), the Coppa Italia on nine occasions, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup once and the first ever UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.
Both clubs share the famed Stadio Olimpico as their home, the 70,000 seater stadium which opened in 1953 and has hosted the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final as well as four European Cup/Champions League finals and play’s home to the majority of Italy international football matches. The city also hosted the 1934 FIFA World Cup Final at the Stadio Nazionale PNF, which was closed in 1953 and later demolished.
Rugby Union in Rome
The Stadio Olimpico as highlighted above, also plays host to the majority of Italian national rugby union matches. From 2000 to 2011, the Stadio Flaminio had previously been the home of Italian international rugby union – the stadium was built for the 1960 Summer Olympics and hosted football matches, including the Gold Medal match.
There are several rugby union clubs based in Rome that play in the top division of Italian rugby or have previously, including Fiamme Oro Rugby who play at Centro Sportivo Polizia di Stato, Rugby Roma Olimpic who play at Stadio Tre Fontane and S.S. Lazio Rugby 1927 who’s home is the Giulio Onesti Olimpic Preparation Center.
Tennis in Rome
The most significant event held in Italy is the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, first played in 1930 and is considered one of the most important clay court tournaments in the world with notable winners including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.
Golf in Rome
The most famous golf course in Rome is the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, host of the Italian Open on two occasions and due to host the 2023 Ryder Cup – the first time Italy has hosted the event. Both the Olgiata Golf Club and Acqua Santa Golf Club Course have also hosted the Italian Open, with the latter being the oldest golf club in Italy.
Basketball in Rome
Rome hosted the 1991 EuroBasket at the Palazzo dello Sport, which was built to host the basketball tournaments at the 1960 Summer Olympics and was also the home of the Virtus Roma professional basketball club that previously won the EuroLeague in 1984 before dissolving in 2020.
Volleyball in Rome
Rome has a rich history of volleyball and hosted the European Volleyball Championships and Volleyball World Championship on a number of occasions. M. Roma Volley is the city’s top volleyball team and play at the Palazzetto dello Sport, also built for the 1960 Summer Olympics to host basketball.
Rome also hosted the 2022 Beach Volleyball World Championships at the Foro Italico.
Cycling in Rome
Rome has hosted the final stage of the Giro d’Italia on three occasions (1911, 1950 and 2009), as well as La Grande Partenza (the tour’s start) on four occasions (1911, 1929, 1960 and 2000).
Marathon in Rome
The Rome Marathon was established in 1982 and is one of the best’s for sightseeing – passing such sights as the Colosseum, the Fori Imperiali or St. Peters Square in the Vatican and is held annually in March.
Travelling to Rome
Airport: Rome has two major airports: Leonardo da Vinci Airport – Fiumicino, the larger of the two with the most international flights and Rome Ciampino Airport, offering more European destinations with low cost carriers.
From Leonardo da Vinci Airport, you can take a train to Termini central station, Tiburtina or Ostiense with a journey time of about 30 minutes and leaving every 15 minutes. For Ciampino Airport, you will need to catch a bus to Termini station.
Thinking of flying? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.
Train: Roma Termini is the main rail transport link to the city of Rome – it is the busiest station in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, with train services across the country. Other notable stations include Roma Tiburtina, Roma Ostiense, Roma Trastevere, Roma Tuscolana, Roma San Pietro, Roma Nomentana and Roma Casilina.
Thinking of catching a train to Rome? Search and book your journey through the Trainline here.
Hotels in Rome
Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Rome by clicking here.
Food & Drink in Rome
What to do in Rome
Rome is famous for for its sightseeing, of which the near 2000 year old amphitheatre that is the Colosseum is the most notable. Other famed sights include the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.
Upcoming Sport Events in Rome
Further Information
Last Updated on May 15, 2023 by Sports Tourist