Staying Active in Rome: A Student’s Guide to
Sports, Fitness, and Spectator Events
Studying in Rome offers far more than academic enrichment. For college students, the Eternal City is also an incredible place to stay active, explore new sports, and experience live athletic events woven into everyday Italian culture.
From running along ancient roads to cheering inside legendary stadiums, Rome makes fitness and sport a natural part of student life.
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This guide highlights the sporting events to attend and activities to participate in while living and studying in Rome.
Soccer:
Experiencing Rome’s Sporting Passion
Soccer is central to Roman identity, and attending a match is one of the most memorable cultural experiences for students.
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Rome is home to two top-tier clubs, AS Roma and SS Lazio, who both play at Stadio Olimpico. Matches range from routine league fixtures to high-energy derbies and European competitions.
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For students, games are:
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Relatively affordable compared to other European capitals
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Easy to reach by public transportation
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A powerful introduction to Italian fan culture
Even students unfamiliar with soccer often find themselves swept up in the high-energy atmosphere!
Running and Fitness:
Rome as an outdoor center for wellness
Rome’s layout and climate make it ideal for outdoor exercise, especially running and walking.​ Popular student running routes include:
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1. The Tiber River paths: offer flat, traffic-free routes perfect for daily runs
2. Villa Doria Pamphili: one of the largest parks in Rome where lots of people go to run and walk
3. Historic neighborhoods such as Trastevere and the city center, where early-morning runs pass iconic landmarks
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Two of our students, Brad Parsons and Will Stokes, experienced one of the best ways to explore the city while staying active; running along the Tiber River in Rome. Check out their blog HERE!​​
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Many students also join informal running groups or simply incorporate walking and jogging into their daily commute, making fitness feel effortless.