Arena di VeronaSeating Guide: Where to Sit & Best Seats
The Arena di Verona is a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre and the home of the annual Arena di Verona Opera Festival, with a modern summer capacity of around 22,000 (typically reduced to roughly 13,000-15,000 during opera performances once the stage occupies part of the cavea). Seating is split between numbered, chaired sectors on the lower and middle tiers and the unupholstered ancient stone steps (gradinata) higher up. The premium central stalls (Poltronissime Platinum, Gold and Silver) in the first sector offer the closest, most central views and best acoustics, while the named upper tiers (Verdi, Puccini, Rossini) give a fuller view of the staging for less. The best value lies in the Verdi and Puccini sectors, which keep proper backed seats and a good sightline, while the cheapest tickets are the unnumbered 4th, 5th and 6th sectors on the stone steps. Note that the Arena is open-air with no roof, and step seats have no backrests, so a cushion is recommended for the gradinata.
Configurations
Opera Festival (in the round / large-stage)
The flagship Arena di Verona Opera Festival (runs roughly mid-June to mid-September). A large open-air stage is built at one end, occupying around a third of the cavea, and seating is arranged in numbered stalls (Poltronissime and Poltrone) on the arena floor plus tiered sectors rising up the steps. Performance capacity is typically around 13,000-15,000.
Concerts (pop / rock / classical crossover)
Outside and alongside the festival the Arena hosts concerts by artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and Zucchero. A stage is set at one end and the floor and tiers are used for seating; exact sector layouts and any standing areas vary by promoter and event.
Galas and ceremonial events
The Arena occasionally stages galas, televised events and major ceremonies (it is scheduled to feature in the 2026 Winter Olympics/Paralympics ceremonies). Configurations are bespoke, but the same tiered cavea and stone-step structure is used.
Seating levels explained
Poltronissime (Premium central stalls)
1st Sector Stalls - Platinum, Gold, SilverThe most expensive seating: numbered, upholstered seats with padded backrests on the arena floor closest to the stage. Platinum occupies the central first rows, Gold sits to the sides and rear of Platinum (and includes the Royal box area), and Silver sits behind/around the Gold.
Pros: Closest, most central views; best acoustics; comfortable padded seats with backrests.
Cons: Highest prices (well over EUR 200 per seat for top categories); side Silver/Gold positions are slightly off-centre.
Stalls & Tribune (numbered floor and lower tier)
Numbered, padded seats further back and around the premium stalls, including the 2nd Sector Stalls and the Tribune sectors (with a family-priced Tribune Family option and a U30 youth rate in the 2nd Sector). Proper chaired seating at a mid-range price.
Pros: Comfortable backed seating; reasonable proximity to the stage; family and under-30 discounts available.
Cons: Further from the stage than the Poltronissime; side positions can be angled.
Named upper sectors - Verdi, Puccini, Rossini
1st Sector Verdi, 2nd Sector Puccini, 3rd Sector RossiniNumbered seats fitted on the first tiers of the surrounding steps. Verdi is the lowest and best of these, then Puccini, then Rossini higher up. Seats here have backrests but are not upholstered.
Pros: Good elevated overview of the full stage and staging; backed seats; strong value, especially Verdi and Puccini.
Cons: Backrests are unpadded; further and higher than the floor stalls; Rossini is noticeably higher up.
Gradinata (ancient stone steps)
4th, 5th and 6th SectorsThe cheapest tickets: original Roman stone steps with no chairs and (for the upper sectors) unnumbered, first-come-first-served seating within your sector. The 6th sector is the highest and least expensive.
Pros: Lowest prices (from around EUR 20-30); authentic amphitheatre atmosphere; lively, communal feel.
Cons: No backrest and a hard stone surface (a cushion is strongly advised); unnumbered seating means arriving early; the highest rows are far from the stage.
Best seats at Arena di Verona
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall view and sound | 1st Sector Stalls Platinum (central front rows) | Central, numbered, padded seats closest to the stage deliver the most direct sightline and the best acoustics in the house. |
| Best value (comfort vs price) | 1st Sector Verdi and 2nd Sector Puccini | These named upper sectors keep proper backed seats and an elevated, full view of the large stage at a fraction of the premium-stalls price. |
| Best atmosphere / authentic experience | 4th, 5th and 6th Sectors (gradinata stone steps) | Sitting on the ancient stone steps, as Roman audiences did, gives the most communal, atmospheric experience - and the cheapest tickets. Bring a cushion. |
| Best for taking in the full opera staging | 1st Sector Verdi / 2nd Sector Puccini (lower numbered steps) | The elevated angle lets you see the whole stage picture and the scale of the Arena's famous large-scale sets, which can be lost from the very front floor seats. |
| Best for families | Sector Tribune Family (and 2nd Sector Stalls U30 for young adults) | The Tribune Family sector offers a symbolic child rate (around EUR 2.50) with a reduced adult ticket, while the U30 rate gives under-30s a low flat price in the 2nd Sector Stalls. |
| Best for accessibility with a good view | 1st Sector Stalls Silver Easy | This accessible, numbered, padded floor sector keeps you close to the stage while providing step-free, easy-access seating. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
- 6th Sector (highest gradinata steps): The highest, most distant unnumbered stone steps - furthest from the stage, no backrest and a hard surface for a multi-hour performance.
- 4th and 5th Sectors (upper stone steps): Unnumbered, first-come-first-served stone steps with no chairs or backrests; a cushion is essential and you must arrive early to claim a spot.
- Side positions of Gold / Silver / standard stalls: Although padded and close, far-side floor seats are angled relative to the stage, so part of the staging can be viewed obliquely.
- Rossini (3rd Sector) outer rows: The highest of the chaired named sectors; backrests are unpadded and the distance from the stage is considerable.
- Any sector during rain: The Arena is fully open-air with no roof; performances can be delayed or affected by weather and there is no covered seating.
Premium & hospitality
Poltronissime Platinum
The top hospitality tier: the central first rows on the arena floor with upholstered, padded numbered seats - the closest and most prestigious position, accessed via Gate 1.
Poltronissime Gold (incl. Royal box)
Premium central-side floor seating that includes the Royal box area; padded numbered seats just behind and beside Platinum, accessed via Gate 1.
Poltronissime Silver
Upholstered, numbered floor seats behind the Gold, offering close-up views at a slightly lower premium price; includes the accessible 'Silver Easy' option.
Accessibility & companion seating
The Arena provides accessible seating, most notably the numbered, padded '1st Sector Stalls Silver Easy' on the arena floor, which offers easy step-free access close to the stage. Reduced rates are available for holders of disability certification (and typically a companion). Because the venue is an ancient monument with many steps and uneven stone surfaces in the upper tiers, accessible patrons are directed to the floor-level easy-access sectors rather than the gradinata.
Where: Accessible floor seating is concentrated in the 1st Sector Stalls Silver Easy area, accessed via Gate 1. The stone-step sectors (4th-6th) are not suitable for reduced-mobility visitors.
Upcoming events at Arena di Verona
La Traviata-Verona, Italy
Sat, 27 June 2026 · Opera
La Boheme-Verona, Italy
Fri, 3 July 2026 · Opera
Nabucco-Verona, Italy
Sat, 4 July 2026 · Opera
La Traviata-Verona, Italy
Sun, 5 July 2026 · Opera
The Lumineers-Verona, Italy
Mon, 6 July 2026 · Concerts
Duran Duran-Verona, Italy
Tue, 7 July 2026 · Concerts
La Traviata-Verona, Italy
Thu, 9 July 2026 · Opera
La Boheme-Verona, Italy
Sat, 11 July 2026 · Opera
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at Arena di Verona?
For the best overall view and acoustics, choose the central 1st Sector Stalls (Poltronissime Platinum), the padded numbered seats in the front-centre of the arena floor. For the best value with proper backed seats, the Verdi and Puccini named sectors on the lower numbered steps give an excellent full view of the staging for much less.
What are the cheapest seats at Arena di Verona?
The cheapest tickets are in the 4th, 5th and 6th Sectors - the ancient stone steps (gradinata), with prices starting from around EUR 20-30. These are unnumbered, first-come-first-served and have no chairs or backrests, so a cushion is recommended and arriving early helps you get a better spot.
Is Arena di Verona accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The Arena offers accessible, step-free floor seating - notably the numbered, padded '1st Sector Stalls Silver Easy' close to the stage - and reduced rates for disability-certificate holders. The upper stone-step sectors are not suitable for reduced mobility, so accessible patrons are seated on the arena floor.
Does Arena di Verona have a roof or covered seating?
No. The Arena di Verona is a fully open-air Roman amphitheatre with no roof and no covered seating. Opera performances take place in the evening, so daytime sun is not an issue, but performances can be affected by rain.
Do I need to bring a cushion to the Arena di Verona?
If you have a stone-step ticket (4th, 5th or 6th Sector) a cushion is strongly recommended, as these ancient steps have no backrests and the stone is hard for a performance lasting several hours. Cushions can usually be bought at the venue if needed. Numbered chaired sectors do not require one.
What is the difference between numbered and unnumbered seats at the Arena?
All the chaired sectors - the Poltronissime stalls, Tribune, and the Verdi, Puccini and Rossini sectors - have specific numbered seats. The cheaper stone-step sectors (4th-6th) are unnumbered and free-seating within your sector, so it is first-come-first-served and worth arriving early.
What is the capacity of the Arena di Verona?
The amphitheatre has a modern summer capacity of around 22,000. During opera performances the large stage occupies roughly a third of the seating, so the working capacity is typically around 13,000-15,000. Its original Roman capacity is estimated at about 30,000.
What events are held at the Arena di Verona?
Its signature event is the annual Arena di Verona Opera Festival (around mid-June to mid-September), which has run since 1913. The Arena also hosts major concerts (artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and Zucchero) and special galas and ceremonies.