United States men’s national team and Venezia midfielder Gianluca Busio has revealed the unique matchday trip he and his teammates must make to get to the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.

It’s no secret that waterways are the main source of travel in Venice, but the Venezia players experience a pre-match ritual that perhaps no other footballers on the planet can relate to.

“Game days are the most unique. That’s when you know you’re in Venice,” he said on American television this week.

“It starts normal in the hotel. We have a team meeting before the game. Then instead of walking to the team bus, we are walking to the dock.

“There’s a boat waiting for us. We all get on, the whole team including coaches and team staff. It’s a 15-minute boat ride [to the stadium]. Now is the hardest time because the weather isn’t so great and there are waves and stuff.

“You also see fans driving past you on boats. When the weather is good, it’s an open deck.

“By the time we arrive, our supporters’ boats arrive at the same time almost always. You dock at the stadium. Our stadium is right by the water. Our walk from the boat to the locker room is like two minutes.”

There may be more intimidating venues in Europe, but none can force you into an adventure quite like Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.

📸 Timothy Rogers – 2024 Getty Images