GENOA, THE FUTURE OF SPORT: a new face for the Carlini Stadium, beach volleyball on Corso Italia, and a skate park at Giardini Govi

Major developments are on the horizon for Genoa’s sports infrastructure. Mayor Silvia Salis, speaking on the sidelines of an itinerant council meeting in the Medio Levante district, outlined a timeline for the redevelopment of three key areas: the Stadio Carlini-Bollesan, the ex beach club Capo Marina, and Giardini Govi.

The Carlini-Bollesan Stadium, long considered the “temple of rugby” on Corso Europa and marked by years of neglect, is set for a radical transformation. The Mayor confirmed strong interest from private investors and operators specialized in managing multifunctional sports facilities. The goal is to turn it into a modern complex by the end of the current administration, keeping the rugby field at its core while adding parking and state-of-the-art services. The project is already included in the municipality’s three-year plan, with partnership models being evaluated to fully cover costs.

There are also updates for the city’s coastline, where discussions are underway with the Federazione Italiana Pallavolo (FIPAV) to convert the former Capo Marina site into a federal beach volleyball center. The plan envisions a national and international hub operating year-round. Public access remains a priority: beach services and free beach access—one of the largest in the city after Voltri—will be preserved. The municipality has already allocated €65,000 for works starting mid-May, including beach profiling, restoration of restrooms and showers with accessibility improvements, and a solarium restyling. Management will remain with Bagni Marina Genovese, with reopening scheduled by June 15.

At Giardini Govi, a skate park designed by artist Koo Jeong A is taking shape, supported by the Friends of Genoa foundation, which will fully fund and build the project at no cost to the city. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, aiming to create a new urban landmark.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategic vision that promotes sport as a driver of inclusion and well-being. This includes the redevelopment of the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, in collaboration with Genoa CFC and Sampdoria. The plan preserves its English-style architecture, upgrades it to UEFA Category 4 standards to host the 2032 European Championship, and opens it to national and international sporting events, concerts, and community initiatives. It also includes public service and retail spaces, making the stadium active seven days a week and revitalizing the Marassi area.

At the same time, the municipality is encouraging outdoor activity through initiatives such as “Gli anelli del benessere”, urban trekking routes developed with the non-conditioning support of Novo Nordisk. These routes aim to help prevent metabolic and cardiovascular diseases while promoting the city’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage.

Genoa thus reaffirms its commitment to investing in sport as a driver of development, quality of life, and attractiveness—promoting it as a daily, inclusive, and accessible activity for all.

Written by Aurora Galletto and Irene Bellotto.