Foro Italico (Centrale)Seating Guide: Where to Sit & Best Seats
The Centrale (Campo Centrale / Stadio Centrale) at Rome's Foro Italico is the centre court of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia (Italian Open), rebuilt for the 2010 tournament with a standard capacity of around 10,400-10,500 seats. The bowl is ringed by four main sides: the Tribuna Monte Mario on the west sideline (behind the umpire's chair), the Tribuna Tevere on the east sideline (opposite the umpire), the Tribuna Internazionale behind the baseline (behind the server), and the Italian Open Club lower-level corners. The best overall views are the lower-tier sideline blocks of Tribuna Monte Mario and Tribuna Tevere, which sit closest to the action; baseline seats in Tribuna Internazionale offer a true sense of rally pace and are often better value, as are higher rows in the corners. Note that this is a clay-court arena that, as of 2026, is uncovered, so most lower-tier seats are exposed to sun and rain (a retractable roof is planned from 2027). Shaded seating tends to be on the south and west sides, including the Monte Mario stand.
Configurations
Tennis - Italian Open (Internazionali BNL d'Italia)
The Centrale's primary use: the showpiece ATP/WTA combined Masters/1000 event held in May. The clay court hosts the marquee day and evening session matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. A ticket to the Centrale typically also grants access to most outside/secondary courts (excluding the Grand Stand Arena).
Tennis - day and evening sessions
Match days on the Centrale are usually split into a day (morning) session and an evening (night) session, each requiring a separate ticket. Evening sessions carry headline singles matches under lights and a livelier atmosphere; the same seating blocks apply to both.
Multi-purpose / concerts (planned from 2027)
Following the 2026 tournament, a major renovation will add a retractable roof and reconfigure the arena to around 12,500-13,500 seats, with the aim of hosting concerts, cultural events and other sport (including a planned NBA Europe arena use) year-round. For concert use the end behind a stage would become a restricted-view or non-sale area. This configuration is not yet in operation.
Seating levels explained
Lower Tier - Sideline Premium
Tribuna Monte Mario (west, behind umpire) and Tribuna Tevere (east, opposite umpire), front rows incl. Tribuna TOP rows 3-4The closest sideline seating, level with the court along both long sides. Tribuna Monte Mario runs behind the umpire's chair on the west; Tribuna Tevere faces it on the east. 'TOP' designations (e.g. Tribuna TOP, Tribuna Tevere TOP, Tribuna Monte Mario TOP) sit in the front rows directly behind the exclusive suites.
Pros: Closest, most central side-on view of the play; ideal for following baseline exchanges and net play; premium proximity and the best in-stadium atmosphere.
Cons: The most expensive seats; lower-tier seats are uncovered and exposed to sun and rain; the east (Tevere) side can catch more direct afternoon sun than the shadier west side.
Lower Tier - Baseline
Tribuna Internazionale (behind the baseline / behind the server)Lower-level seating behind the baseline, giving a head-on view straight down the court behind the server.
Pros: Excellent feel for serve speed, depth and the pace of rallies; central baseline alignment; often better value than the prime sidelines.
Cons: Less ideal for judging the width and angle of cross-court shots; like other lower-tier areas it is uncovered.
Lower Tier - Corners
Italian Open Club (north side / lower-level corners)Lower-level corner seating offering a diagonal perspective of the court, including a hospitality-linked club area on the north side.
Pros: A good combined view of both baseline and sideline action from a corner angle; some south-side corner positions fall in shade.
Cons: Angled rather than true side-on or head-on views; sightlines across the near corner can feel slightly compressed.
Upper Tier
The higher rows of the bowl wrapping around the arena above the lower tier, on all four sides.
Pros: The most affordable Centrale seating; an elevated overview that is good for reading tactics and shot patterns; the venue is compact so few seats feel truly distant.
Cons: Furthest from the court; the highest rows on the corners give the least central views and are most exposed to sun and weather.
Best seats at Foro Italico (Centrale)
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall view | Lower-tier Tribuna Monte Mario or Tribuna Tevere, central blocks (incl. TOP front rows) | Central side-on lower-tier seats put you closest to the court at roughly net height, the classic tennis sightline for following both baseline rallies and net exchanges. Monte Mario (west) also tends to be the shadier of the two sidelines. |
| Best value | Tribuna Internazionale (baseline) and upper-tier sideline rows | Baseline seats behind the server and the lower rows of the upper tier deliver strong, central sightlines at a noticeably lower price than the prime sideline TOP blocks, with the compact bowl keeping you reasonably close. |
| Best atmosphere | Lower-tier sidelines (Monte Mario / Tevere), evening session | The lower bowl is the most intimate part of the arena and the energy peaks during night-session headline matches under lights, when the crowd is closest to the players. |
| Best for serve and rally pace (tennis angle) | Tribuna Internazionale, behind the baseline | Sitting behind the server gives the truest sense of serve speed, spin and depth, and lets you watch rallies develop straight down the court. |
| Best for shade and comfort | South and west sides - Tribuna Monte Mario and the Italian Open Club south side | With no permanent roof as of 2026, shaded seating matters in the Roman heat; the south and west sides, including Monte Mario, generally offer the most cover from direct sun during day sessions. |
| Best for tactical overview | Lower rows of the upper tier, central sideline | A slightly elevated central position gives a clear read of court positioning and shot patterns while remaining affordable and still close in the compact bowl. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
- Highest rows of the upper tier on the corners: Furthest from the court with the most angled, least central sightlines, and the most exposed to sun and weather given the lack of a roof.
- Far baseline / behind-baseline corner blocks: Steeper viewing angle down the court makes it harder to judge the width and depth of cross-court shots compared with central sideline seats.
- Front rows immediately behind exclusive suites and walkways: Occasional sightline interruption from passing spectators, hospitality structures or photographers during changeovers in the lowest positions.
- Any uncovered lower-tier seat during a day session: No permanent roof means direct exposure to strong midday sun and the risk of rain delays; shade is limited to certain sides.
Premium & hospitality
Tribuna TOP (front-row sideline premium)
Premium front-row sideline seating (rows around 3-4) positioned directly behind the exclusive suites on Monte Mario and Tevere, offering the closest courtside view with a hospitality-grade ticket.
Exclusive Suites
Private suite/box hospitality on the lower tier behind the prime sideline rows, combining premium seated views with a hosted experience.
Italian Open Club
A club/hospitality area on the north side at lower level, offering a corner perspective of the court plus club facilities; some positions fall in shade.
Official hospitality packages
The tournament sells premium hospitality packages through its official ticketing platform, bundling Centrale seating with catering and lounge access; offerings vary by year and session.
Accessibility & companion seating
The Internazionali BNL d'Italia provides accessible ticketing for spectators with disabilities, including reduced-price tickets and reserved accessible positions, subject to availability. Wheelchair-accessible and companion arrangements are handled through the tournament's accessible-seats process rather than general online sale.
Where: Spectators with a certified disability of at least 74%, and people with severe disabilities, can purchase reduced-price tickets up to the availability of reserved seats; a companion provision applies in line with tournament policy. Accessible positions are allocated via the dedicated accessible-seats page on the official ticketing site, and a phone support line is available (Mon-Fri, 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00). Because this is a heritage sports complex, it is best to book accessible seating early and confirm step-free access routes with the ticket office in advance.
Upcoming events at Foro Italico (Centrale)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 1 - Day Session
Wed, 5 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 1 - Evening Session
Wed, 5 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 2: Morning session
Thu, 6 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 2 - Evening Session
Thu, 6 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 3 - Evening Session
Fri, 7 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 3: Morning session
Fri, 7 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 4 - Morning session
Sat, 8 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Italian Open (Tennis): Day 4 - Evening Session
Sat, 8 May 2027 · ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 (Joint Tournaments)
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at Foro Italico (Centrale)?
The best overall seats are the central lower-tier sideline blocks of the Tribuna Monte Mario (west) and Tribuna Tevere (east), including the front-row Tribuna TOP positions. They put you closest to the court at roughly net height, ideal for following baseline rallies and net play. The Monte Mario side also tends to offer more shade.
Where are the cheapest seats at the Italian Open Centrale?
The most affordable seats are in the upper tier, which wraps around the bowl above the lower level. Baseline seating in the Tribuna Internazionale also offers good value with a central, head-on view down the court. The arena is compact, so even cheaper seats remain reasonably close.
Is Foro Italico (Centrale) covered or does it have a roof?
As of the 2026 tournament the Centrale is an open-air clay court with no permanent roof, so most lower-tier seats are exposed to sun and rain. A retractable roof and major renovation are planned to begin after the 2026 event, expected to be completed by around 2027.
Which seats are in the shade at the Centrale?
Shade is generally found on the south and west sides of the court, including the Tribuna Monte Mario and the south side of the Italian Open Club. The east (Tevere) side tends to catch more direct sun during day sessions, so book the shadier sides if you are heat-sensitive.
What is the capacity of Foro Italico Centrale?
The current Centrale, rebuilt for the 2010 tournament, holds approximately 10,400-10,500 spectators. A planned renovation is set to increase capacity to around 12,500-13,500 seats alongside the addition of a retractable roof from 2027.
Is Foro Italico (Centrale) accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The tournament offers accessible tickets and reserved positions for spectators with disabilities (reduced price for those with a certified disability of at least 74% or severe disability), subject to availability. Accessible seating is arranged via the dedicated accessible-seats page on the official ticketing site or by phone, and it is best to book early.
Does a Centrale ticket include access to other courts?
Yes, in most cases. A Central Court ticket typically grants access to matches on the Centrale for that session plus unreserved access to the secondary/outside courts, though it generally excludes the Grand Stand Arena, which is sold separately.
What are the seating areas called at Foro Italico Centrale?
The four main sides are the Tribuna Monte Mario (west sideline, behind the umpire), the Tribuna Tevere (east sideline, opposite the umpire), the Tribuna Internazionale (behind the baseline/server) and the Italian Open Club (lower-level corners on the north side). Front-row premium positions on the sidelines are branded 'TOP' (e.g. Tribuna TOP).