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The Milan City Council has approved the sale of the iconic San Siro Stadium to Milan rivals, AC Milan and Internazionale Milan, clearing the way for their plans for a new stadium at the site.
Both clubs intend to demolish San Siro for the construction of a new stadium.
The sale is expected to be ratified once due diligence has been completed at the beginning of November.
Plans for a new stadium would see San Siro, which the two rival clubs share as their home ground, mostly demolished, with only 10 per cent of the existing structure of the stadium expected to remain as a way of preserving its legacy.
There is currently no indication of where the two sides will play while the new site is being worked on.
Milan have played at San Siro since 1926 and it has been shared with Inter since 1947.
In 2019, both clubs announced plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium, though the project stalled due to political opposition and Italy’s heritage regulations, which safeguard historic structures.
Applause for Milan City Council
The duo released a statement applauding the council for approving their request:
“AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano are pleased with the City Council’s approval of the sale of the San Siro and its surrounding area: a historic and decisive step for the future of the Clubs and the City.”
On September 23, Milan and Inter announced an agreement has been reached with British international architecture firm with its headquarters in London, Foster + Partners and Kansas City, based architecture firm, MANICA.
MANICA to lead the new stadium project, “with the aim of creating a state-of-the-art venue within a hub for social development in the area.” Foster + Partners are also leading the development of a new 100,000 capacity stadium for Premier League club Manchester United.
Inter and Milan reaffirmed their strong commitment “to delivering a stadium that meets the highest standards of innovation, comfort, and sustainability, and will also stand out as an architectural landmark.”
Euro 2032
Reports reveal that the new stadium is scheduled to open in 2031, just in time for Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Turkey.
It will mark the first major new stadium in Italy since Juventus unveiled the Allianz Stadium in 2011 – ushering in a new era for Italian football, led once again by the Milanese.
About Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners is one of the world’s leading firms in sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design.
Founded by Lord Norman Foster in 1967, the practice has designed iconic projects such as Apple Park in Cupertino, the airports in Hong Kong and Beijing, the Millennium Bridge in London, as well as two flagship Apple stores in Rome and Milan.
It was responsible for the masterplan for the Wembley Stadium precinct, which has transformed the area into a successful mixed-use district with shops, restaurants, and thousands of new homes.
About MANICA
Milano Sesto. MANICA, established by David Manica in 2007, is recognised as a top-tier firm in the sports venue sector.
The firm has designed internationally acclaimed infrastructures such as Allegiant Stadium and Chase Center, home to the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden State Warriors.
MANICA is also responsible for the design of the upcoming transformative stadium project that will host the Chicago Bears and the Miami Freedom Park, the future home of Inter Miami CF.
David Manica has a personal working relationship with Norman Foster and his company that dates back almost 30 years to the design of the New Wembley Stadium in London and also includes the Lusail Stadium winning bid for the World Cup 2024 in Qatar.
Winter Olympics
San Siro is due to host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, which will be hosted by Milan and the town and comune of Cortina d’Ampezzo in northern Italy.
