Watching soccer (Serie A) in Rome

Haven't watched in Rome, but we did watch a match in Florence. Tickets were sold in places that sold bus tickets. The first place that we tried in our neighborhood couldn't sell them to us because the computer was down and they directed us to another location. Tickets were not available for sale until just a few days before the game. We needed our passport to buy the ticket and for entry into the stadium. Names on the ticket were checked against the passport at entry. An interesting note: tickets sold to women were several Euros less than those for men! I felt totally safe. We tried for tickets in Rome but the match was sold out. You can buy tickets in advance on-line, but they cost a lot. Try the teams web sites.

Ok thanks. U mean if I buy it few days before the matc the price will be cheaper?

You just won't have to pay all the ticket agency fees. If you have your heart set on a particular match (or will only be in Rome a short time)it might be sold out if you wait.

Are you allowed to take a camera into the stadiums during a game?

Yes. Although most of the locals will be using their cellphones to take pictures.

I went to the Fiorintina vs Roma game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. I felt totally safe walking to and from the stadium and at the game. However, we sat around the 40 yard line(forgive the American analogy). The end zone was another story - very rowdy and plenty of flares. Personally, I would not feel safe going to a Lazio game in Rome.

Why wouldn't you feel safe going to a Lazio match as opposed to a Roma match?

Because its a derby... Both rome and lazio are from the city of rome. No one "sibling"like to lose to the others.. Can u imagine how the fans will react

You never said anything about a derby in your original post or replies. Rome and Lazio play each other multiple times each year and somehow the universe manages to stay in alignment. I don't think it's a big deal.

It's almost impossible to find tickets to the roman derby so if that is the game you are planning on attending, be prepared that you may not be able to go. As for safety, the Italian authorities have really stepped up safety measures regarding games, all ticket holders are supposed to have their names printed on the tickets, you technically cannot walk up and buy tickets right before a game. I was a season ticket holder when I lived in Rome and I used to go the games alone. I never had any problems, the rare instances of violence that you hear about at stadiums are between "ultra" fans attending the games, which no one will mistake you for. For any game the place is always filled with police and carabinieri, you have any problems, you go to them.

I'm sure that most of the time, most of the people attending a Rome-Lazio derby get home safe and sound. But the ultras can easily become violent, and that create a dangerous situation, even for non-ultras.

I don't blame Frank for deciding that he'd rather not take the chance.

It's no more dangerous than watching a game between the NY Mets/Yankees, or Cubs/White Sox. Most all problems happen well away from the stadium; and even then it's rare. I Personally wouldn't attend a match unless it was a big rivalry/derby. Watching Roma or Lazio play Siena isn't something I would pay money for.

If someone gave me a ticket to the Roma-Lazio derby, I would definitely take it, other than the atmosphere being more charged there is no reason to think it would be any less safe. At any derby the fans are 80% supporters of the "home team", the rival team is kept in its own section, well separated and protected from the other fans. They are escorted into the stadium and escorted out hours after the game has finished. The fans are never allowed to mix in the stadium or in the immediate vicinity. This same level of security is applied to all games.