AC Milan has unveiled ambitious plans to relocate from the iconic San Siro stadium, their home since 1926, to a new state-of-the-art stadium with a seating capacity of 70,000. The club has taken a significant step in this direction by submitting preliminary proposals to the city council in the suburb of San Donato.
Outdated San Siro
While the San Siro, also known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, holds immense historical significance, it has not undergone substantial renovations since the 1990 World Cup. AC Milan shares the stadium with city rivals Inter, and numerous attempts to modernize it have proven unsuccessful.
In August, a local heritage commission declared the San Siro as having “cultural interest,” preventing its demolition. This verdict prompted both AC Milan and Inter to explore alternative options for their respective stadiums.
AC Milan’s plans extend beyond merely constructing a new stadium. The club envisions developing a comprehensive sports complex that includes a club headquarters, hotel, club shop, and museum. This multifaceted approach aligns with the club’s aspirations for long-term growth and success.
Chairman’s Vision
Paolo Scaroni, the chairman of AC Milan, expressed the club’s commitment to this ambitious project. He stated, “For over four years, we have embarked with conviction on a journey aimed at giving our club one of the best stadiums in the world, which is able to accompany us into a victorious and sustainable future. This represents a preliminary step in the evolution of this process but, at the same time, it is further proof of our ownership’s commitment to guaranteeing continuous growth for AC Milan both on and off the pitch.”
Renovating the existing San Siro stadium would come at a significant cost. As a result, both AC Milan and Inter have spent years exploring alternative solutions. Inter, AC Milan’s co-tenant at the San Siro, is also evaluating options for building its own stadium. A potential site in Assago, located to the south of Milan, is under assessment.
The plans signify AC Milan’s commitment to embracing the future while paying homage to its storied history, and they mark a significant development in the journey toward a modern, world-class stadium for the club.
