Parma

Parma was founded in 1913 as Verdi Foot Ball Club, named after the famous opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was born in Parma. They were introduced with their current colors of yellow and blue. The club did not begin to play league football until 1919 after the end of WWI. The club was a founding member of Serie B in 1928, and they would remain in division 2 until they were relegated 3 years later. In 1935 they became founding members of Serie C, and they remained there until just before WWII when they were promoted back to Serie B.

They bounced between Serie B and C during the late 40s and 50s until they received two successive relegations, landing them in Serie D in 1966. By 1968, the club was in serious financial trouble and was bought by another club in the area, which was a turning point in their history. They were promoted back to Serie C and three years later, received another promotion, this time to Serie B. However, this stint was only for a season and they weren’t able to make it back until the end of the 1970s. During the 19070s and early 80s, the club received another two promotions to Serie B, but both times they were relegated the following season.

They eventually climbed to Serie A in 1989, securing promotion with a 2-0 victory over rivals Reggiana. The club made its European debut in 1991 and just a year later, won its first major trophy, defeating Juventus in the Coppa Italia. They won the European Super Cup over AC Milan the following year, giving them their first international trophy. In 1998, they won their second Coppa Italia, the UEFA Cup, and the Supercoppa Italiana making it the most successful stretch in club history.

To start the 2000s, they won another Coppa Italia in 2002 but by 2004 they had missed out on European competitions for the first time since 1991. By 2007, the club was in risk of bankruptcy and was sold, although they also received a relegation the following year after spending 18 years in Serie A. Even after a promotion and new ownership, the club was again in financial trouble by 2015 and was forced into another sale, this time forming a new club which had to start in Serie D.

They became the first Italian club to achieve 3 consecutive promotions, getting them back to Serie A in 2018 just three years after their bankruptcy relegation to Serie D. Since then the club has bounced between Serie B and A. After winning Serie B last season, they are now in Serie A.

2023-24 SEASON: 1st in Serie B (Promoted), Coppa Italia Round of 16

2024-25 SEASON: Serie A

Reggiana are Parma’s top rival and this rivalry extends past football and originated from a rivalry between the cities of Parma and Reggio Emilia. Unfortunately, this rivalry is on pause as Reggiana is still in Serie B, while Parma achieved their recent promotion to Serie A. Parma also has a regional rivalry with Bologna. The two clubs are the most decorated in the region, with a combined 7 league titles and 5 Coppa Italia titles between the two clubs.

The women’s club’s history can be traced back to 2015 when they were introduced as part of the Parma club, however they did not play in Serie A until new ownership took over in 2022. Following this ownership change, the club rebranded to Parma Calcio 2022 and has been playing their recent seasons in both Serie A and Serie B. They play their home games at the same ground as the men’s team, near the center of Parma.

Parma moved into their current home, Stadio Ennio Tardini, in 1923. The ground underwent serious renovations in the early 1990s when the club achieved promotion to Serie A and began to have the finances to fund such a significant project. This ground is also used by the women’s team, Parma Calcio 2022.

GETTING THERE: The stadium is on the southern edge of the city center, 15 minutes walking from the tourist center and 30 from the train station. From the station, you cal also take bus #9 (Marore) to near the stadium. After the game, buses can’t get anywhere near the place for about a hour; I wound up walking back to the station.

PUBS and GRUB: There isn’t much near the stadium. I saw a few supporters at Caffetieria Baccanale and Pizzeria Il Duca. There is also a supporters club on the main circle right out front, with displays about the club’s history, and a kind of sad little bar run out of a cargo container with a tent next to it.

AROUND TOWN: It’s a really lovely city, known for cheese and ham, but really just a nice place to walk around. It’s Italian but not very touristy, which is a nice combination. Lonely Planet has a good summary of attractions.