Lazio face near-empty Olimpico as season-ticket renewals collapse | OneFootball

Lazio could begin the new campaign in a largely empty Stadio Olimpico, with only 2,000 season tickets renewed so far, according to Le Progres. That compares with just under 30,000 last season, a 93% fall.

The first home match, against Genoa on 30 August, is expected to be played in front of swathes of empty seats. The Olimpico holds more than 70,000.

The slump follows a supporters' strike launched in January 2026 targeting president and owner Claudio Lotito, in post since July 2004. Fans criticise his sporting direction, with no trophies since the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa in 2019.

In a February 2026 petition, groups said Lazio had not recruited a player to truly excite supporters and urged change at the top if that could not be delivered. They also pointed to the exits of fan favourites such as captain Ciro Immobile, Milinković-Savić and, more recently, Matteo Guendouzi.

Months later the Biancocelesti finished ninth, their worst Serie A placing in 12 years. Off the pitch, the rift with Lotito looks entrenched, with the strike intended to squeeze finances and push a sale. Whether Gennaro Gattuso's players can reverse the trend on the field remains to be seen.

Source: Le Progres