Two Football Teams and other Rome, Italy Sports Travel Tips

Theme: Sports Watching

Rome football fans have two teams to rout for: Roma and Lazio. Formed in 1927 by the merger of various local sides (Lazio opted out), Associazione Sportiva Roma traditionally draw most of their support from within the city. Thus while surrounding areas are staunchly blue-and-white, Rome itself frequently gives the impression of being a one-team city. Gruff wrinkled market-traders and bartenders carefully pin up pictures of hero Totti, while middle-aged and elderly women recently mobbed Batistuta and Roma colleagues at a theatre in the city.

Since the team's creation Roma have won the scudetto three times, the most recently being the 2000-2001 season when the partying lasted weeks and the entire city turned giallorosso. The mass celebrations around town and in the ancient chariot arena, Circo Massimo, have already passed into legend.

Lazio was founded as an athletic club in January 1900, and Lazio fans are immensely proud of their heritage, which pre-dates many of the other modern clubs. With accuracy as well as pride Laziali call their team 'the first team of the capital.' The golden seasons, 1998-2000, saw the celebration of Lazio's centenary. Led by local hero, captain Nesta, the team suddenly saw the shelves fill with silverware. Best of all, they won their coveted second scudetto in 1999/2000.


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Directions: Roma plays at Stadio Olympia