Bologna Football Club was founded on October 3, 1909, by Emilio Arnstein, an Austrian football enthusiast who had played in Vienna and Switzerland.
The club was officially established at the Roncati Hospital, where Arnstein worked. Inspired by the emerging football culture in Italy and Central Europe, he gathered students, athletes, and professionals in Bologna to form a team. Their first official match was played in 1910 against Virtus Bologna.
The club’s early years were shaped by strong international influence, particularly from Central Europe, giving Bologna a technically skilled playing style ahead of many Italian clubs.
Bologna’s dominance in the 1920s and 1930s
The 1920s and 1930s were the golden era of Bologna FC. They were arguably the best team in Italy and one of the strongest in Europe.
They were nicknamed “Lo Squadrone che Tremare il Mondo Fa” — “The team that makes the world tremble” — due to their elegant, powerful style and the number of Italian internationals they produced, such as Angelo Schiavio.
Bologna and Anti-Fascism
Bologna, as a city, has long been a symbol of anti-fascism, resistance, and left-wing politics — values that have deeply influenced the identity of Bologna FC.
During the fascist regime of the 1930s, football was used by Mussolini as propaganda, and while Bologna won several titles during this period, the club and the city remained known for their intellectual independence and dissenting spirit.
In the modern era, Bologna’s ultra groups, especially the Curva Andrea Costa, continue to express strong anti-fascist and anti-racist sentiments, using banners, chants, and symbols to honour the city’s legacy of resistance — particularly during World War II, when Bologna was a partisan stronghold.
The baby shirt tradition
One of the most beloved traditions at Bologna FC is their “newborn supporter” initiative. Since the early 2010s, the club has given a free Bologna jersey to every newborn baby born in the city of Bologna.
The goal is to foster a lifelong bond between the club and the local community. Families receive the baby-sized shirt as a symbol of identity and belonging — a small but powerful gesture that says: “Welcome to Bologna — you’re one of us now.”
It’s a touching custom that highlights the club’s deep connection to its city and people, reinforcing that being a Bologna fan is something you’re born into, not just something you choose.
Club overview
- Full name: Bologna Football Club 1909
- Nickname: I Rossoblù (The Red and Blues), Felsinei, La Dotta
- Founded: 3 October 1909
- Stadium: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara (Capacity: ~36,000)
- Location: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
- Owner: Joey Saputo (Canadian businessman, also owns CF Montréal)
- Head Coach: Vincenzo Italiano
Achievements
- Italian Championships / Serie A titles: 7 (1925, 1929, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1964)
- Coppa Italia: 3 (1970, 1974, 2025)
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1 (1998)
- Mitropa Cup: 3 (1932, 1934, 1961)
Fun fact: Bologna was Italy’s dominant club in the 1930s and proudly wore the slogan “Lo scudetto sul petto, l’onore in campo” (The scudetto on the chest, honour on the field).
Legends
- Angelo Schiavio – Local hero, World Cup winner with Italy (1934), scored 242 goals for the club.
- Giuseppe Dossena – Midfield maestro in the 1980s.
- Roberto Baggio – Had a rebirth at Bologna in 1997–98, scoring 22 goals in a single season.
- Giacomo Bulgarelli – Bandiera of the 60s, a one-club man and symbol of Bolognese pride.
- Kenneth Andersson – Popular Swedish striker in the 1990s.
- Sinisa Mihajlović – Beloved coach (2019–2022), fought illness publicly and bravely while leading the team.
- Beppe Signori – He was a key player for Bologna during his time with the club (1998-2004), becoming a fan favourite and a prolific goal scorer. He helped Bologna win the UEFA Intertoto Cup, which qualified them for the UEFA Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
Rivalries & Friendships
Rivalries:
- Fiorentina – Derby dell’Appennino – fierce, historical, and rooted in regional pride.
- Parma – A newer rivalry driven by local competitiveness in Emilia-Romagna.
- SPAL – Traditional regional grudge match.
Friendships:
- Modena – Longstanding friendship with their neighbours.
- Avellino – A deep ultras connection.
- Marseille (France) – Tifo-based international friendship.
Ultra groups
The heart of Bologna’s fan base is found in the Curva Andrea Costa at the Dall’Ara. Main groups include:
- Forever Ultras (1974) – One of the oldest in Italy.
- Mods, Vecchia Guardia, Supporters 1980
- Strong anti-fascist, local pride identity. Bolognese ultras are vocal, passionate, and rooted in community.
Ticket information
- Where to buy:
- Official website: bolognafc.it
- Physical ticket points around Bologna (especially at Via Andrea Costa near the stadium)
- Game day sales are available at the stadium, but early booking is recommended for big matches.
- Prices (approximate):
- Curva: €20–30
- Distinti / Tribuna: €40–70
- VIP/Corporate: €100+
How to get to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
- Location: Via Andrea Costa, west of the city centre (~3 km)
- Public Transport:
- Bus: Line 14 from central Bologna (Via Ugo Bassi)
- Train: Bologna Centrale + walk (~30 minutes) or taxi/bus
- Walk: Around 35 minutes from Piazza Maggiore — flat and scenic route
Where to eat & drink before the match
Bologna is Italy’s gastronomic capital — you’ll eat well anywhere, but for matchday atmosphere, try:
- Bar Andrea Costa – Classic ultras hangout near the stadium
- Trattoria Bertozzi – Amazing local cuisine, 10 minutes’ walk away
- Birreria Popolare – Great local beer & pre-match energy
- Osteria dell’Orsa – In the centre, beloved by locals for tortellini and tagliatelle
- Trattoria di Via Serra – For a post-match celebration meal
The Importance of Bologna FC to the Fans
Bologna FC isn’t just a football team — it’s a civic identity, woven into the city’s intellectual and rebellious soul.
Nicknamed La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa (The Learned, The Fat, The Red), Bologna is a city of culture, resistance, and passion — and the football team reflects that spirit.
For older fans, the 1930s glory is a source of pride. For younger fans, survival, defiance, and the long-awaited return to Europe (as in 2024 under Thiago Motta) feel like redemption stories.
The Dall’Ara is a temple — old, atmospheric, full of memory — and the club is a way for generations of Bolognese to express their city’s unique identity.
Through thick and thin, the fans have stuck by their team, and moments like their 2024 Champions League qualification and May’s Coppa Italia victory over Milan has rekindled dreams that Bologna — the proud, cultured underdog — can rise again.
