As reported, the mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, has reiterated the plan to sell the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium instead of continuing to rent it out, a departure from previous administration projects. He announced this during a radio interview.
This move follows a formal request to the Revenue Agency to cancel €38 million in mortgages on the stadium from 2005, which are due to expire at the end of June. Furthermore, a council resolution passed on February 18th aims to promote the sale of the stadium (a 99-year surface rights alienation) or consider public-private partnership proposals as per public contract regulations.
Urbano Cairo, the owner of Torino FC, commented in recent weeks: “The future of the stadium? We shall see. We are not the decision-makers in this situation. We currently have an 18-month extension, then we will evaluate. Buying the stadium? It’s something that could be considered, but it’s not feasible today.” Cairo has consistently avoided suggesting any active role in purchasing the stadium.
In contrast, the mayor’s statements have opened the door to alternative potential buyers. These could include private entities not currently associated with the Granata club, or, more logically and ideally for fans, potential buyers interested in acquiring both the stadium and Torino Football Club.
“We are awaiting a response from the Revenue Agency and hope they will not renew the mortgages. In the meantime, we have arranged for the extension of the current concession (rental agreement with Torino, expiring on June 30th) for a maximum of another 18 months,” the mayor stated. This extension, approved in the February 18th council resolution, would last until December 31, 2026, intended to safeguard Torino’s sporting activities and the interests of the city.
“Let’s see what happens with the mortgages. In the meantime, we have ensured continuity for Toro so they can continue playing there. However, we have also opened up to expressions of interest from other operators. But I reiterate, the goal is to define as soon as possible a way to upgrade the stadium that allows the city to consider options beyond just the current rental agreement,” the mayor added.
“The stadium issue is very important to me. And we are now open to expressions of interest from other operators,” Lo Russo concluded, referring to alternative buyers to Torino FC. The possibility of simultaneously acquiring the stadium could attract these figures to invest in the Granata club, potentially marking the end of the Cairo era after 20 years.