Milan’s San Siro appears to have entered its last chapter, but it’s not time for the funeral just yet.
The Milan City Council has officially approved the sale of the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, commonly known as San Siro, marking a major turning point for AC Milan and Inter Milan.
The decision is expected to kick off a new era for both Serie A clubs, who have pushed for the construction of a modern stadium.
The two clubs first proposed the idea in 2019 and submitted a project feasibility document to the Municipality of Milan earlier this year. Central to the plan was the acquisition of San Siro and its surrounding land, which would enable a full-scale redevelopment.
The issue has divided the city, much like the rivalry between the two clubs themselves. The council vote, which lasted 12 hours and concluded around 3 am, passed narrowly by 24 votes to 20.
According to reporting from Football Italia, abstentions played a key role in the outcome. Forza Italia, while acknowledging flaws in the proposal, chose not to vote, citing the project’s potential to boost employment, infrastructure and urban regeneration.
What’s in the Proposal?
In a joint statement published on both clubs’ websites in March, the teams described the project as transformative.
The announcement read: “The proposal, developed by top professionals and industry experts, reflects the strategic vision of the two clubs’ ownerships and lays the groundwork for the creation of a landmark project that will serve as an international benchmark and bring significant benefits to the city of Milano and its residents.”
The centrepiece of the plan is a new stadium with a capacity around 70,000 seats, surrounded by commercial and residential developments. While the San Siro will continue to host matches, including the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in February 2026, it will eventually be replaced by the new venue, which will be built nearby.
San Siro has been AC Milan’s home since 1926 and shared with Inter Milan since 1947. In a bid to preserve its legacy, part of the stadium will be retained, even though most of it will be demolished.
Why build a new stadium?
The push for a new stadium is driven by several factors. Financially, both clubs see a state-of-the-art venue as essential for increasing revenue, particularly through expanded hospitality offerings, which is a growing priority in modern football.
However, the new stadium will have a smaller capacity than San Siro, which currently seats nearly 76,000. This has raised concerns among fans that ticket prices could rise significantly to offset the reduction.
There’s also a broader sporting motivation. Italy is set to co-host the UEFA European Championship in 2032 alongside Turkey. A new stadium would position Milan as a key venue for the tournament.
With the council’s approval now secured, AC Milan and Inter Milan are one step closer to realising their vision of a new home.
