Football stadium called the most beautiful in the world facing ban from Europe

Football supporters across the world will argue, due to regional pride, that their stadium is the most beautiful that can be found on earth; however, for one set of fans, they may not get to show off their ground in European competition as it faces a ban.

There are some standout grounds across Europe that have been able to show all their attributes in elite competitions from Barcelona’s Camp Nou to Braga’s unique stadium.

Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed a fine season with Como, as he has guided them to the Conference League at a minimum, while there is still hope they can qualify for the Europa League in their final two Serie A matches.

general view inside the stadium during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Semi-Final First Leg match between SC Braga and Sport-Club Freiburg (Getty Images)

A win on Sunday afternoon against Verona confirmed that Como would be playing in European competition next season; however, it is not likely that they will be doing so in their Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium.

It is an incredible rise for the club on the shores of Lake Como, as they were playing in Serie B in 2024 and they have now qualified for Europe.

Yet, this quick rise through the divisions and to European football could result in logistical issues due to their stadium not meeting UEFA regulations, a ground which has been described as the "world's most beautiful stadium."

The stadium opened in 1927, and it underwent renovations in order to meet the legal standards required for Serie A.

In April this season, as the club edged towards qualifying for European competition, inspectors visited the stadium in April in order to assess its suitability.

They raised an issue regarding the temporary scaffold curve, with the stand being the location of the club's ultras, but UEFA rules mean Como must permanently fix the issue.

UEFA’s regulations state: “Stands must be fixed to a load-bearing foundation and may not be based on or contain any tubular/scaffolding structures.”

Cesc Fabregas

The club will look to replace this in the summer with a permanent structure, with Como’s president receiving the support of the city’s mayor to do this.

Meanwhile, a smaller and easier fix is to widen the pitch from 66 metres to 68, while also ensuring a two-metre buffer will have to be created between the touchline and advertising boards to meet UEFA regulations.

Now, if they cannot solve these issues before they are supposed to play in European competitions, there have been two Italian stadiums that have been suggested as alternative venues, with Mapei Stadium of Sassuolo being suggested; however, it is 150 miles away from Como’s current ground.

The other option that has been suggested is the Bluenergy Stadium, historically known as the Stadio Friuli, which currently hosts Serie A side Udinese.