In compliance with current regulations on public safety at the Arena Sferisterio, the Macerata Opera Festival provides dedicated seating and specific facilities for people with disabilities.

 

People with disabilities in wheelchairs

The following are available:

• 6 seats ‘outside the chairs’ (3 on each side) in the Red stalls section
• 8 seats ‘outside the chairs’ (4 on each side) in the Green stalls section

The entrance reserved for people with disabilities in wheelchairs is number 5.

The accompanying person is entitled to a ticket:

• €25 in the Red section
• €40 in the Green section

(with a seat assigned behind the wheelchair)

 

Persons with disabilities without wheelchairs (disability greater than 70%)

The following are provided:

• free seats in the Red section (maximum 10 per evening)
• Companion ticket: £25

It is also possible to request a change of section with a 50% reduction on the ticket price, subject to availability.

 

Organisations and communities

Additional discounts are available for requests from organisations and communities:

• €1 admission for guests with disabilities
• €25 for accompanying persons

(with seating on the stage, within the limits set by the regulations and subject to availability)

 

Accessible services

• There are accessible toilets inside the Arena.
• Reserved parking spaces are available in Piazza Nazario Sauro, in the areas designated for people with disabilities.

For further information and to purchase dedicated tickets, please contact the Macerata Theatre Ticket Office directly.

Please note:

This access and concessions policy is valid exclusively for Macerata Opera Festival performances.

For Sferisterio Live events, please consult the channels and pages dedicated to the festival.

 

The Macerata Opera Festival takes place in a venue that is unique in the world: a large open-air theatre.

An extraordinary place which, like all open-air theatres, requires some attention in case of bad weather.

Here is what you need to know:

• Performances are never cancelled in advance;
• In case of unfavourable weather conditions, the Associazione Arena Sferisterio may postpone the start of the performance by up to 120 minutes from the scheduled time;
• If conditions improve within this time limit, the performance will begin. Otherwise, the performance will be cancelled.

Once the performance has started, even if delayed, no ticket refunds will be given, even if the show cannot be completed due to weather conditions.

Refunds will only be given if the show is cancelled before it starts (see the section “What happens if a show is cancelled?” for further details).

For safety reasons, long umbrellas that could pose a danger to the event or spectators are not permitted. The final decision rests with the staff responsible for access control.

Only compact/folding umbrellas are permitted, provided they are stored in bags that do not take up too much space (please refer to the section “What can I bring to the Sferisterio?” for further details).

Macerata Opera Festival performances are never cancelled in advance.

In case of bad weather, the start of the performance may be postponed for up to 120 minutes from the scheduled time (for more details, please refer to the section ‘What happens in case of bad weather?’).

If, after this time, it is not possible to start the performance, the show is declared cancelled before it begins.

During the evening, the audience is kept constantly updated through official announcements in Italian and English, both to inform them of developments in the situation and, if necessary, to communicate the cancellation.

At the same time, the Festival’s official channels are updated to inform those who are not in the Arena.

 the event of cancellation before the start of the event, tickets for the evening must be kept and may be:

• refunded within the deadline indicated in the official communication (according to the methods communicated);
• converted for one of the subsequent performances of the same title, subject to seat availability.

As required by current legislation, no refund or conversion will be possible if the ticket is not returned intact in all its parts.

Please note that tickets purchased with the Teacher’s Card cannot be refunded: in the event of cancellation, a credit will be issued in the purchaser’s name.

For assistance, please contact the Macerata Theatre Box Office.

For safety reasons and in compliance with current regulations, only guide dogs and other assistance dogs that are properly trained to support people with documented disabilities are allowed at the Sferisterio.

The following are permitted:

• Guide dogs used by blind or visually impaired people for mobility.
• Properly trained assistance dogs that perform specific tasks to support certified disabilities, as required by national regulations and practices adopted by many cultural institutions.

In all cases:

• The animal must be on a leash and under control, and the owner must be able to demonstrate the animal’s assistance role to staff if requested.
• Pets, therapy dogs that are not specifically trained, or uncertified emotional support animals are not permitted.

To ensure safety and a peaceful enjoyment of the show, we invite you to contact the Macerata Theatre Box Office in advance.

The staff will be able to suggest the most comfortable areas for you and your assistance dog, taking into account space and access, and provide you with any useful information about elements of the performance (such as loud sound effects or sudden movements) that may be sensitive for the animal.

Yes, children up to the age of 3 can attend the Macerata Opera Festival shows free of charge. There are no dedicated seats: they sit on the lap of their accompanying adult.

For greater comfort, we suggest avoiding the Balconata with very young children, as there are no seats available.

In general, for those attending with children, we recommend the steps or boxes: they offer more direct access to the corridors and allow you to leave temporarily with ease if your child needs a break or a moment of peace, without missing out on the show. In any case, we recommend that you do not stand near passageways, stairs, entrances or escape routes.

Please also note that the Sferisterio is an open-air theatre and the temperature can be 3–5 degrees lower than in the city. It is therefore advisable to bring a blanket or warmer clothing, especially for young children.

For safety reasons, it is not permitted to obstruct corridors and escape routes with pushchairs or other personal items. Pushchairs may be taken into the foyer (entrance 2) or along the hemicycle (entrances 4, 5 and 6), where they must be left unattended for the duration of the show.

The Balconata is a standing area with no numbered or assigned seats.

Admission is possible until all available seats are taken, in compliance with the permitted capacity and with a valid ticket.

It is not possible to bring in seats, folding chairs or other personal supports.

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to place objects on the Balconata parapet.

The entrance dedicated to the Balconata is number 1.

To protect the artists, the audience and in compliance with current regulations, audio or video recordings are not permitted during Macerata Opera Festival performances.

Professional or semi-professional video cameras and cameras are not permitted.

It is also forbidden to photograph or film the show, with or without flash, and to make any kind of audio or video recording without authorisation, to use electronic devices such as “GoPro”, tablets or other devices capable of recording and transmitting, digitally or on any other medium, audio, video and audio-video material, or to collect information or data relating to the show.

This prohibition is provided for by Law No. 248 of 18 August 2000 (Article 171) on the protection of copyright.

We invite you to enjoy the experience live, letting your emotions – and not the screen – remain etched in your memory.

The Sferisterio does not have a formal dress code: there are no strict rules regarding attire for Macerata Opera Festival performances, other than respect for the theatrical setting and the decorum of the event. However, we recommend smart attire appropriate for an evening at the opera.

Practical information for your comfort:

• There is no cloakroom service available.
• The Sferisterio is an open-air theatre: the temperature inside can be 3–5 degrees lower than in the city, especially in the evening. We therefore recommend that you bring a jacket, shawl or extra layer of clothing, especially for children and those who are more sensitive to the cold;
• For safety reasons and out of respect for others, coats may not be placed on the parapet, on the backs of seats or on any empty seats.

Dress code for Youth Previews

For Youth Previews (reserved for under-30s and students involved in the educational project), we suggest a more playful and participatory approach: you can come dressed in an outfit or with an accessory (e.g. a T-shirt or headband) that matches the dominant colour of the poster for the opera in question:

• Nabucco: blue
• Il Barbiere di Siviglia: green
• Il Trovatore: red

This is a suggestion for creative participation, not an obligation. The aim is to create a sense of belonging and involvement among the under-30s attending the previews.

To reach the Sferisterio, we recommend the Sferisterio car park, located a few minutes’ walk from the Arena.

Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nePE6ZkZyJqwT9Pk9

The car park is open 24 hours a day and offers:

• covered and uncovered parking spaces
• a lift connecting all floors to Corso Cairoli, the street that leads directly to the Sferisterio

Rates

Parking is free from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

If you plan to arrive before 8:00 p.m., we recommend downloading the ApMobilità app, which allows you to pay for parking online and monitor its duration.

 

Camper van area

The Sferisterio car park also has a camper van parking area equipped with:

• electricity supply
• ample maneuvering space
• drinking water supply
• night lighting
• black and gray water drainage

Parking for people with disabilities

People with disabilities can use the reserved parking spaces in Piazza Nazario Sauro, in the designated areas (see the section “What services and facilities are available for people with disabilities during the Macerata Opera Festival?” for further details).

To ensure the safety of all spectators, access to the Sferisterio is subject to checks in accordance with current legislation.

The staff in charge of the Hall Service may carry out visual checks of bags and backpacks at the entrances (Art. 5, letter C of Ministerial Decree 06/10/2009).

Entry may be refused to anyone who does not consent to such checks.

Staff are also authorised to prevent the introduction of items deemed unsuitable or dangerous.

The safekeeping of prohibited items is not guaranteed.

The following items are not permitted:

 

By way of example and without limitation:

• Plastic bottles larger than 0.5 litres
• Any glass bottles, flasks or containers
• Food and drinks
• Blunt or potentially dangerous objects (e.g. motorcycle helmets, ice packs, scissors, glass perfume bottles)
• Long umbrellas that may cause danger; folding umbrellas are permitted, provided they are stored in compact bags
• Video cameras, professional or semi-professional cameras, tripods, selfie sticks (please refer to the section “Is it possible to take photos or videos during the show?” for further details)
• Musical instruments
• Professional or birdwatching binoculars (small, foldable theatre binoculars are permitted)
• Signs, banners, flags or any other material that may obstruct the audience’s view
• Animals, with the exception of certified guide dogs and assistance dogs (please refer to the section ‘Can I bring my dog with me?’ for further information)

The final decision on whether items may be brought into the venue is at the discretion of the access control staff.

 

Inside the Arena

There are two cafeterias inside the Sferisterio where you can purchase drinks during the evening.

Tickets purchased for the Macerata Opera Festival cannot be changed or refunded, except in cases provided for in the Theatre Regulations (e.g. cancellation due to bad weather).

 

Transferring tickets

The Macerata Opera Festival does not issue tickets in a specific person’s name, so you can transfer your ticket to another person.

 

However:

• If the ticket is full price, it can be transferred freely.
• If the ticket is reduced price, the person taking over the ticket must meet the same requirements that entitled the original purchaser to the reduction.

Otherwise, you must go to the Macerata Theatre Ticket Office in advance to:

• cancel the reduced fare,
• issue a new ticket at the correct fare,
• pay any difference in price.

This also applies in cases where the type of reduction changes (e.g. from Under 30 to Over 65 or vice versa), even if the amount is the same: the wording on the ticket must correspond to the actual entitlement of the holder.

Please note: tickets purchased with the Teacher’s Card are not transferable to third parties, as the benefit is strictly personal.

Verification of requirements

Admission with a reduced-price ticket is subject to the presentation of a document certifying the right to the reduction.

In the event of a check, the public is required to present an official document to the Arena staff.

If the ticket is not compliant, admission to the theatre will not be permitted.

Yes, you can use the Teacher Card to purchase tickets for Macerata Opera Festival performances.

Here is what you need to know:

• You can use one bonus per ticket and per evening.
• The value of the bonus must be equal to the price of the selected section.
• The bonus must be presented in PDF format.

If purchasing at the Macerata Theater Box Office, you must also present the bonus in paper format.

 

Personal nature of the bonus

Use of the Teacher Card is personal.

Tickets purchased with the Teacher Card are not transferable to third parties.

 

Cancellation due to bad weather

In the event of cancellation of the show before it begins, no cash refund will be given for tickets purchased with the Teacher Card.

Instead, a credit will be issued in the purchaser’s name, which can be used in accordance with the terms and conditions communicated by the Ticket Office.

To ensure smooth admission and avoid delays in the start of the show, we invite you to arrive at the Arena at least 30 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket.

 

The gates open 45 minutes before the start of the performance.

 

Dedicated entrances for each sector

To facilitate the flow of the audience, each sector has a dedicated entrance:

• Entrance 1 → Balcony
• Entrance 2 → 1st and 2nd order boxes – Grandstand (all colors, even and odd seats)
• Entrance 4 → Green, Red, Yellow Stalls (even seats – left side)
• Entrance 5 → Gold, Platinum Stalls (even and odd seats)
• Entrance 6 → Green, Red, Yellow Stalls (odd seats – right side)

We recommend that you check your entrance before arrival to ensure smooth access.

 

Delays

You will not be allowed to enter your seat once the show has started.

Audience members arriving late or leaving their seats temporarily during the performance will be asked to wait in the foyer or, when possible, will be accompanied to the side boxes until the first intermission, when they will be able to return to their assigned seats.

In the case of one-act performances without an interval, latecomers may occupy an alternative seat until the end of the performance.

The audience is asked to cooperate with the theater staff and to follow the instructions of the attendants: in live performances, any movement in the auditorium can disturb both other audience members and the performers on stage.

 

Reduced tickets

Admission with a reduced ticket is subject to the presentation of a document certifying the right to the reduction.

We therefore advise you to keep it handy.

 

The Arena Sferisterio Association may refuse entry to anyone who:

• does not have a valid ticket for entry;
• does not meet the requirements for the discount indicated on the ticket;
• is in an obviously altered state;
• behaves aggressively;
• is not dressed appropriately for the theater (see the section on dress code);
• do not allow their bags and backpacks to be checked at the request of security personnel (see the section “What can I bring to the Sferisterio?”).

Out of respect for the performers and the audience, you will not be allowed to take your seat once the show has started.

In case of delay:

• Audience members in the stalls and upper tiers will be asked to wait in the foyer or, where possible, will be accompanied to the side boxes until the first suitable interval to reach their assigned seats.
• If the show is a one-act performance without an interval, latecomers may occupy an alternative seat until the end of the performance.

We recommend that you arrive at the Arena at least 30 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket, so that you can enter calmly and avoid any inconvenience.

In case of delay, the audience is asked to cooperate with the theater staff and follow the instructions of the attendants: in a live performance, any movement in the theater can disturb both the other spectators and the performers on stage.

For more details on gate opening times, see the section “What time should I arrive?”

Yes.

All the works at the Macerata Opera Festival are accompanied by surtitles in Italian and English, allowing the audience to fully follow the text and the action on stage.

In keeping with the spirit of inclusion and accessibility that characterizes the Sferisterio, surtitles are a fundamental tool both for deaf or hard-of-hearing people and for the entire audience, facilitating understanding of the opera regardless of the language in which it is performed.

The surtitles are visible during the performance and blend naturally into the architecture of the Sferisterio.

The large stage wall, a distinctive and iconic feature of the theater, is perfectly suited to the projection of texts, ensuring clear and uniform reading from all sections.

The Sferisterio is a historic monument and, for structural and conservation reasons, there are currently no permanent elevators installed.

People with disabilities in wheelchairs have reserved seats in the stalls, accessible from entrance 5, which is free of architectural barriers.

For more details on dedicated seats and facilities, please refer to the section “What services and facilities are available for people with disabilities during the Macerata Opera Festival?”.

We invite anyone with temporary or permanent mobility difficulties to notify the Macerata Theater Ticket Office in advance at the time of purchase or before arriving at the Arena.

The ticket office and theater staff will do their utmost to accompany the spectator to the most suitable seat, in accordance with individual needs and safety conditions.

The aim is to ensure the best possible experience for everyone in a historic and unique space such as the Sferisterio.

Tickets cannot be duplicated and are valid only for the date indicated.

In case of loss, the box office, after checking with the ticket holder, can issue a new unnumbered ticket at a cost of €10, manually entering the details of the lost ticket for the benefit of the theater staff.

The original seat cannot be guaranteed.

We therefore recommend that you keep your ticket (paper or digital) safe until you enter the venue.

The Sferisterio has different entrances depending on the sector indicated on the ticket. Please always check the entrance number shown on your ticket.

Entrance distribution:

• Entrance 1 → Balcony
• Entrance 2 → First and second tiers – Stands (all colors, even and odd seats)
• Entrance 4 → Green, Red, Yellow Stalls (even seats – left side)
• Entrance 5 → Gold, Platinum Stalls (even and odd seats)
• Entrance 6 → Green, Red, Yellow Stalls (odd seats – right side)

Where are the entrances located:

• Entrances 1 and 2 are located in Piazza Nazario Sauro, in front of Porta Picena.
• Entrances 4, 5, and 6 are located on Via Diomede Pantaleoni.

We recommend arriving early to facilitate security checks and access.