#SBS26 Spotlight: Cantù Arena setting new standards in Italy
Located in the heart of Lombardy, halfway between Lake Como and Milan, the cutting-edge Cantù Arena is due to open later this year.
The arena will have a capacity of 5,200 seats and primarily serve as the home of Pallacanestro Cantù, which plays in Italy’s top-tier Lega Basket Serie A.
Built at a cost of €40m, the arena features seven suites and three lounges, as well as a 1,000-square-metre pavilion, which can be used as a training field with an internal grandstand with 150 seats.
The facility will be managed by Legends Global, marking the company’s entry into the Italian market.
Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2026, we caught up with Cantù Arena chief executive Andrea Mauri to get the lowdown on the project.
TheStadiumBusiness: What is the current area of focus for the Cantù Arena team?
Andrea Mauri: “The main project we are working on is the Cantù Arena itself. It’s a modern and flexible first-of-its-kind venue in Italy that has also followed a specific Italian law – Legge Stadi – for the first time in history.
“Additionally, it is the first venue in Italy that will be managed by Legends Global. It’s a big move for the venue development market landscape in the country, which constantly struggles to deliver the next level of entertainment and infrastructure.
“For us, the most important aspect and driver for the project is to give a ‘home’ to the city’s professional basketball club, Pallacanestro Cantù, and create an iconic venue that can become a focal point for major events in the territory as an economic and social driver for the area.”
TSB: What’s the next challenge for you and your team?
AM: “The project started back in 2019 and, following the Italian path of bureaucracy and delivering projects, it has been constantly under review to deliver the best services to the fans considering how fast technology is driving the engagement and fan experience.
“The main challenge will be to picture Cantù Arena not only as the home of Pallacanestro Cantù, but as an infrastructure that can deliver more such as concerts, business, conferences and shows, and host other sports such as tennis, hockey and combat sports.
“Also, the transition to a non-technological venue to a venue like this will change a lot for the overall experience of spectators. So, there will be a lot to ‘teach’ and ‘explore’ for whoever is coming to Cantù Arena so that they can get the best out of their experience.”
TSB: What is the most exciting development for you in the industry right now?
AM: “Technology, including AI, and data are driving the entertainment to new levels. So, there is a big need to keep up with those so that fans can have the most memorable experiences.”
TSB: What are you looking forward to most about the Summit?
AM: “The opportunity to share our journey to people in this industry and showcasing that in Italy it is also possible to build new modern infrastructures with the right expertise.
“Furthermore, the big network that will be there: it is always a great occasion to know and meet people as a way to learn from their experiences and maybe finding new business partners.”
Join Andrea and 450+ venue professionals as we explore the future of the stadium business at #SBS26 in Manchester.
#SBS26 – Operations. Technology. Sustainability.
2–4 June 2026 | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
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