Throughout its history, Reggina's crests have been closely associated with the club's famous amaranth colours, which gave rise to the nickname Gli Amaranto. Unlike many Italian clubs that relied heavily on civic heraldry or animal symbols, Reggina's visual identity was built primarily around the letter "R", which became the defining feature of the club's badge for decades.
During the club's most successful era in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the famous R-and-football crest became widely recognised throughout Italy.
A major turning point arrived in 2015, when Reggina was declared bankrupt. As the historic crest belonged legally to the previous corporate entity, the newly established club was forced to adopt a completely new visual identity. The replacement badge broke with tradition and introduced a different graphic style while attempting to preserve links to the club's history and colours.
Further changes followed in 2016, when the club was renamed. A redesigned crest reintroduced the famous letter "R", recognising its importance within Reggina's heritage. However, the football element differed significantly from the traditional emblem. Instead of the modern ball used in the historic logo, the new design featured a classic leather football, giving the badge a more nostalgic and retro appearance.
While supporters appreciated the return of the R, many still viewed the crest as a departure from the classic design that had represented Reggina during its greatest achievements.
In 2019, the club responded by restoring the historic visual identity. The traditional design centred around the famous R and football returned, reconnecting the modern club with the imagery most closely associated with Reggina's rise through Italian football. The restoration was widely welcomed by supporters, who regarded the crest as an important symbol of continuity despite the club's financial collapse and rebirth.
Reggina 1914 Club History
Founded in 1914 as Unione Sportiva Reggio Calabria, the club is traditionally associated with its distinctive amaranth-coloured shirts, which earned the team the nickname Gli Amaranto. Throughout its history, Reggina has served as a symbol of Calabria and has often carried the hopes of an entire region on the national football stage.
For much of its early history, Reggina competed in regional and lower-division football. The club gradually established itself within the Italian league system and became one of the strongest teams in southern Italy outside the major footballing centres.
A major turning point arrived in 1986, when the club was reorganised as Reggina Calcio. This marked the beginning of a new era that would eventually transform Reggina from a provincial lower-division side into a Serie A club.
The most successful period in the club's history began during the 1990s under president Lillo Foti. Following years of investment and steady progress, Reggina achieved promotion to Serie A in 1999 for the first time. T
The club quickly established itself as a competitive Serie A side. During the early 2000s, Reggina became known for discovering talented players and competing fearlessly against wealthier opponents. Future stars such as Andrea Pirlo, Mohamed Kallon, Shunsuke Nakamura, Rolando Bianchi and many others either passed through the club or enhanced their reputations while wearing the amaranth shirt.
One of the most remarkable chapters in Reggina's history occurred during the 2006–07 season. Following the Calciopoli scandal, the club received an 11-point deduction for sporting offences and appeared destined for relegation. Against all expectations, Reggina produced an extraordinary campaign and secured survival in Serie A. The achievement remains one of the greatest escapes in Italian football history and is remembered as a defining moment for the club.
Reggina remained in Serie A until 2009, spending a total of nine seasons in the top flight. During this period, the club became a respected member of Italy's football elite and regularly represented Calabria on the national stage.
Following relegation, however, financial and sporting difficulties gradually increased. The club struggled to return to Serie A and eventually entered a period of instability that culminated in serious economic problems.
In 2015, Reggina Calcio was declared bankrupt. The collapse brought an end to the corporate entity that had guided the club through its golden years and forced football in Reggio Calabria to begin again under a new organisation.
The club was reborn and initially competed under new names before eventually reclaiming its historic identity. In 2016, the organisation became Reggina 1914, reconnecting the club with its original foundation year and restoring a stronger link to its historical roots.
A new revival followed. Under ambitious ownership, Reggina secured promotion back to Serie B in 2020, returning to professional prominence after years of uncertainty. Supporters hoped this would mark the beginning of another climb toward Serie A.
However, financial difficulties once again emerged. In 2023, the club was excluded from Serie B because of administrative and economic problems. As a result, Reggina lost its professional status and was forced into another painful restructuring process, creating one of the most dramatic chapters in the club's long history.
Reggina plays its home matches at the Stadio Oreste Granillo, one of the largest stadiums in southern Italy.
The club's fiercest rivalry is with Messina, with matches between the two sides known as the Derby dello Stretto. The rivalry reflects the geographic proximity of Calabria and Sicily across the Strait of Messina and is considered one of the most passionate derbies in southern Italy. Other notable rivalries exist with Catanzaro, Cosenza and Crotone, creating some of the most intense fixtures in the region.
