The Agnano Hippodrome enters a new phase. The City of Naples has completed the public tender process and signed the concession agreement with New Agnano Arena & Races Srl, a special purpose vehicle established by the winning consortium.
The operation is being carried out through project financing and involves a 35-year concession, starting January 1, 2026. The plan aims to completely redevelop the facility through private capital, without impacting the municipal budget.
Investments total €16,8 million, of which €13,5 million will be allocated to structural and building redevelopment projects. The total value of the concession is estimated at €216 million over the 35-year period.
The Municipality is expected to pay a rising annual fee, starting at €60 in the first five years and rising to €264 in the final period. The total revenue for Palazzo San Giacomo will be approximately €6 million, with amounts updated annually based on the ISTAT index and paid in monthly installments.
Upon expiration of the concession, all works and improvements carried out by the operator will become the property of the Municipal Administration free of charge.
The agreement also guarantees the continuity of the activities of the two associations historically present within the facility: ASD Accavallo, engaged in hippotherapy, and the Associazione Mercante in Fiera, which organizes the Sunday market. A social clause is also included to safeguard employment levels, with the new concessionaire obligated to fully absorb the departing staff.
On the management front, maintenance quality will be subject to an automated monitoring system shared between the Municipality and the concessionaire. Failure to comply with established standards will result in automatic fines and penalties.
The area in front of the entrance will also be transferred to the new operator by December 1, 2026. The Municipality will retain the right to use 40% of the space on non-event days for tourist bus parking, collecting 50% of the related revenue.
"This agreement marks a decisive step in the innovative management of our city's public assets," said Mayor Gaetano Manfredi. "Project financing allows us to attract nearly €17 million in private investment to redevelop a strategic facility without burdening residents. We combine the protection of jobs and social activities with a solid, transparent, and long-term vision of economic development."
Sports Councilor Emanuela Ferrante agreed: "With the signing of this contract, we are returning a premier sports center to the city and the entire country. Our primary goal is to revive the great Neapolitan equestrian tradition and ensure a modernized, efficient facility open to a variety of sporting and social activities, starting with hippotherapy. Agnano is once again a key hub for athletes, fans, and families."
For Pier Luigi D'Angelo, CEO of New Agnano Arena & Races, the signing marks the end of a complex journey and the beginning of a new era for the facility: "This signing comes after a long and collaborative process."
"I thank the relevant public officials for supporting us in complying with the legal requirements, and the partners and consultants of New Agnano Arena & Races srl, who have enabled the company to overcome challenging times by deploying personal and professional resources," added D'Angelo.
The new manager's stated goal is to expand the facility's vocation beyond equestrian activities: "We are at the dawn of an era that will mark the rebirth of the Naples Hippodrome thanks to new concerts and entertainment. There is satisfaction and confidence, and we look forward to a fruitful synergy between the public and private sectors," D'Angelo concluded.
Key points on the redevelopment of the Agnano Hippodrome
Here is a summary of the main aspects regarding the concession and redevelopment of the Agnano Hippodrome.
- Duration of the concession: 35 years, starting January 1, 2026.
- Planned investments: €16,8 million for redevelopment, of which €13,5 million for structural interventions.
- Annual fee: It will start at 60 thousand euros and will reach 264 thousand euros in the final period.
- Occupation: The new dealer is obliged to absorb the outgoing staff.
- Guaranteed activities: Continuity for the ASD Accavallo and the Mercante in Fiera Association.
