Stadium Information

The Stadio Comunale Via del Mare, officially known as Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare, is an emblematic multipurpose stadium located in Lecce, Italy. Inaugurated on September 11, 1966, this venue has been the home of Unione Sportiva Lecce since its opening. Its name derives from the road that leads to the Adriatic Sea and, since 2002, also pays tribute to Ettore Giardiniero, former mayor of the city who promoted its first major renovation in 1985. 

Originally, the stadium had a capacity for 16,000 spectators, but with Lecce's historic promotion to Serie A in 1985, significant renovations were carried out that expanded its capacity to approximately 55,000 seats, making it one of the largest stadiums in Italy at that time. Currently, after various adaptations and safety measures, the official capacity is 31,461 spectators. 

Throughout its history, the Via del Mare has been the setting for notable events, including matches of the Italian national team and memorable encounters against international teams. A notable curiosity is that, in 1967, the stadium hosted a friendly match between Lecce and the famous Santos of Pelé, where the Brazilian star scored a hat-trick, and the match ended with a score of 5-1 in favor of the South American team. 

In addition to football, the stadium has been used for other significant events, such as the mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1994 and some matches of the XIII Mediterranean Games in 1997. In 2019, additional renovations were carried out to modernize the facilities and enhance the fans' experience, ensuring that the Via del Mare continues to be a central pillar in the sports and cultural life of Lecce.