Remember Giovanni Mari’s name as we approach this stadium. Stadio Giovanni Mari is more than just a sports venue. It’s a landmark steeped in history and local pride.
The Stadio Giovanni Mari opened its doors on October 2, 1921. Its design was inspired by English stadiums. The stadium was built near the Franco Tosi engineering company plants. The opening ceremony included an athletics event organized by the Legnano Gymnastics. The event lasted almost all day.
Originally, the stadium was named “the city stadium in via Pisacane”. This name came from the street where it is located. Before the stadium was built, A.C. Legnano played home games on a field in via Lodi. Franco Tosi and Antonio Bernocchi paid for this field. After the Stadio Giovanni Mari opened, the via Lodi field was used for youth training. It was used until the 1990s. Later, the via Lodi camp was turned into a municipal boules alley.
Since 1937, the Stadio Giovanni Mari has hosted the Palio di Legnano horse race every year on the last Sunday of May. The first Palio horse race was in 1935 at the former Brusadelli camp. This camp was later named after Pino Cozzi. Before the horse race, the stadium hosts the historical parade and events. These events include honors to the Carroccio. Also, there is a charge of figures impersonating the Compagnia della Morte.
In the 1950s, A.C. Legnano played in Serie A and Serie B. The stadium’s capacity was increased to 22000 using temporary steel stands. On October 11, 1987, the stadium was dedicated to Giovanni Mari. He was the historic president of A.C. Legnano. He had died on September 4 that same year. The dedication was made official during a football match against Pro Patria.
On July 2, 1994, the Stadio Giovanni Mari hosted the XIV Italian Superbowl. The Frogs Legnano won against the Rhinos Milano 37 to 27. The people of Legnano won their fifth championship.
After A.C. Legnano went bankrupt, between 2011 and 2015, the stadium hosted home games for Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Legnano 1913 Calcio. In 2015, they regained the rights to use the A.C. Legnano name and symbol.
The Stadio Giovanni Mari has a rectangular shape. The grass football pitch measures 105 x 65 meters. It is fully enclosed. The stands are made of reinforced concrete. They are divided into four sections. The central tribune is to the south. It has seats and a metal roof. The Distinti are to the north. Two curves are to the east and west. One is for guest fans. One is for local groups.
All 5000 seats are seated. There are no standing areas. The stands are close to the field. The farthest seats are 20 meters from the field on the western curve. Four light towers light the field.
The Stadio Giovanni Mari stands as a testament to Legnano’s sporting heritage. Its walls echo with the cheers of football fans and the thundering hooves of Palio horses. It’s a place where history and passion come alive.