Serie A: Udinese will play their first game at the newly renovated Stadio Friuli on 17/01/2015

Udinese Calcio (Serie A TIM) will play their first match at the newly renovated Stadio Friuli (25,000 seats) against Juventus (Matchday 20), on 17/01/2015. The club have played in a configuration of the stadium reduced to 18,000 seats since the beginning of the 2015-16 season.

The stadium, which opened in 1976, had an initial capacity of 41,000 seats. The renovation, which consisted of completely rebuilding three of the stands, had a construction cost of €25m, of which €15m was funded by the Bianconeri. The municipally owned stadium will be operated by the Serie A club for 99 years. Udinese Calcio hope to increase their average attendance, which fluctuated between 15,000 and 17,000 spectators before the renovations took place. The club hopes to increase its matchday income, which amounted to €3.5m during the 2013-14 season.

"It will be a stadium that will be open 365 days a year. Today begins the second phase of this project which will lead to the construction of different types of activities that go beyond just football," said Alberto Rigotto, general manager of the club.

The…