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The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide to SSC Napoli’s 100th Anniversary (July 31 – August 1)

If you’re lucky enough to be in Naples, Italy from July 31 through August 1, get ready for an unforgettable cultural experience. The city of Naples and its world-famous football club, SSC Napoli, are uniting to celebrate a milestone a century in the making: Napoli 100.

Karen Phillips

7/30/20263 min read

If you’re lucky enough to be in Naples, Italy from July 31 through August 1, get ready for an unforgettable cultural experience. The city of Naples and its world-famous football club, SSC Napoli, are uniting to celebrate a milestone a century in the making: Napoli 100.

From historic church bells ringing across the city center to free authentic Neapolitan pizza, grand street parades, illuminations of iconic castles, and fireworks over the seafront, the entire city will transform into a massive, open-air celebration.

Here is your complete guide to navigating the celebration like a local, including the schedule, ticket details, and practical transport tips!

🗓️ Event Schedule: July 31 – August 1

🔵 Friday, July 31: "Un Secolo di Passione" Fan March & Waterfront Warm-Up

The celebration kicks off early as local fan groups and city organizations gear up for the main centenary day.

  • Where: Starts around Piazza dei Martiri / Chiaia and moves along the Lungomare (Seafront) to Rotonda Diaz.

  • When: Festivities start in the late afternoon into the evening (around 7:00 PM onwards).

  • What to expect: High-energy fan marches, classic chants, live street music along the coast, and spectacular sunset views over the Bay of Naples framed in blue smoke.

  • Tip: Grab a seat at a sea-facing café along Via Partenope early to soak in the pre-centenary atmosphere.

🔵 Saturday, August 1: The Official Centenary Day ("Napoli 100")

The main event is co-organized by SSC Napoli, the City of Naples (Comune di Napoli), and the Campania Region. The entire day features a free, multi-stage spectacle across the historic center.

1. The Kickoff & 100 Church Bells (19:26 / 7:26 PM)

  • Where: Piazza Carità

  • What to expect: At exactly 19:26 (a symbolic nod to the club's founding year, 1926), 100 church bells across Naples will chime in unison. A dramatic Fumata Azzurra (blue smoke show) will envelop Piazza Carità—the site of the club's original 1926 headquarters.

2. The Processione Azzurra (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

  • Route: Piazza Carità ➔ Via Toledo ➔ Via Santa Brigida ➔ Via Verdi ➔ Via San Carlo ➔ Piazza Trieste e Trento ➔ Piazza del Plebiscito (approx. 1 km).

  • What to expect: A grand artistic street parade featuring 100 actors, 100 musicians, and 100 children bringing Neapolitan folklore, the myth of Parthenope, and historic Neapolitan songs to life.

  • Tip: Spectators can stand along designated spectator areas on Via Toledo and Via San Carlo to watch the parade move past.

3. Free Centenary Pizza Village (20:26 / 8:26 PM Onward)

  • Where: Piazza Municipio

  • What to expect: SSC Napoli, in partnership with Pizza Village and Banco Alimentare, is hosting a giant public pizza party! Starting at 8:30 PM, thousands of free slices of authentic Neapolitan Margherita pizza and beverages will be served.

  • Bonus: Large screens and dedicated sound systems will stream the main stage ceremony live so you can eat pizza without missing any of the stage action.

4. Official Main Stage Ceremony & Team Presentation (20:45 / 8:45 PM)

  • Where: Piazza del Plebiscito

  • What to expect: Club President Aurelio De Laurentiis, city dignitaries, Napoli football legends, and the current squad take the stage for a retrospective through 100 years of club history using live music, multimedia art, and guest performances.

5. Notte Azzurra: Light Show, Fireworks & DJ Set (22:30 / 10:30 PM Onward)

  • Where: Skyline & Piazza del Plebiscito

  • What to expect: At 10:30 PM, a signal from the main stage will simultaneously light up five major monuments in glowing blue light:

    • Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace)

    • Maschio Angioino (Castel Nuovo)

    • Palazzo San Giacomo

    • Castel dell'Ovo

    • Castel Sant'Elmo (on the Vomero hill)

  • A synchronized light show and firework display over Piazza del Plebiscito and Castel dell'Ovo will follow, leading into a late-night DJ set in the square!

🎟️ Do You Need Tickets?

All Napoli 100 events are 100% FREE, but entry requirements depend on the location:

  • Street Parades, Seafront Walks & Pizza Village: No tickets required. You can freely walk up to Via Toledo, Lungomare, or Piazza Municipio.

  • Piazza del Plebiscito (Main Stage Enclosure): Free ticket reservation required. Due to square capacity limits, entry requires reserving a free digital pass via the TicketOne platform.

    • Gate Opening: Gates open at 18:45 (6:45 PM) on August 1. Access is strictly via Piazza Trieste e Trento.

👟 Local Tips for Travelers

  1. Dress in Blue: Join the crowd by wearing a blue shirt (maglia azzurra) or carrying a Napoli scarf.

  2. Expect Road Closures: Central areas around Via Toledo, Piazza Municipio, and the Lungomare seafront will be closed to car and taxi traffic throughout the weekend.

  3. Take Metro Line 1: Use Line 1 of the Naples Metro and get off at Toledo or Municipio stations. You can tap directly at turnstiles using contactless credit/debit cards or Apple/Google Pay.

  4. Stay Safe & Hydrated: Summer evenings in Southern Italy are hot. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your belongings in a front crossbody bag, and carry water.

🔗 Official Links & Resources

Are you visiting Naples during the Centenario celebrations? Let me know in the comments below where you'll be celebrating, and tag us in your travel photos! Forza Napoli Sempre! 💙🇮🇹