Once it was evident that demolishing the San Siro wasn’t feasible, it appeared the Milanese teams would remain at the iconic venue. However, both Milan and Inter have plans to construct new stadiums. The question arises: which club will achieve this milestone first?
AC Milan is advancing toward their departure from San Siro
In June 2023, AC Milan acquired a 90% stake in SportLifeCity, signaling their move away from San Siro. Concurrently, they engaged the Manica studio, previously involved in an unrealized stadium concept, to design their new venue. On September 27, 2023, initial visualizations for AC Milan’s new stadium were unveiled.
The planned stadium boasts a conventional football structure with seating for 70,000 spectators. Preliminary projections indicate construction commencing in 2025, targeting completion by the 2028/29 season. While exact costs remain undisclosed, initial estimates suggest a budget of at least €1 billion. The club aims to self-fund around ⅓ of the expenses and cover the remainder through loans.
In addition to the stadium, the project envisions hosting the new Club Museum, an AC Milan retail store, the team’s headquarters, a hotel, and an entertainment district. It also includes plans for an Energy Centre aimed at producing sustainable power. The synergy among these components aims to define an area of immense architectural and urban significance, offering a wide range of services, events, and cultural programs to benefit both the local community and a broader audience.
Inter appears to be pursuing a similar path
Inter Milan fans are also in for an exciting development. The mayor of Rozzano has revealed an ambitious plan to construct a new stadium for the Neroazzurri team. The visualizations of this venue evoke aspirations for a fresh, autonomous era for the club. After years of speculation surrounding the future of San Siro, concrete strides have finally been taken by both Milan and Inter. A comprehensive project is set to materialize by April 2024, with expectations for the facility to be ready by the 2028/29 season.
The residents of Rozzano undoubtedly hold significant influence. According to the mayor, the future arena’s neighbors should not hinder the construction process. “There are differing viewpoints, but I believe it will work out. They need to understand that the land is privately owned and possesses building permits. It’s not a choice between a stadium and an untouched greenfield. The decision lies between the stadium and other facilities. To me, there’s no debate,” stated Rozzano’s mayor, Giovanni Ferretti De Luca.
Will San Siro “survive”?
The possible simultaneous commissioning of new stadiums by both Milan clubs brings into question the fate of San Siro in club football. While the timing of these projects doesn’t necessarily dictate their quality, it will significantly impact the emergence of these new arenas. Could we witness AC Milan and Inter settling into their new venues by the 2028/29 season, as outlined in their plans?
Such a scenario would potentially render San Siro obsolete in club football. It’s challenging to envision one of the most iconic stadiums meeting such a melancholic fate. However, if the ambitious plans of the Milan teams materialize, San Siro might primarily host national team tournaments, European Cup finals, or Italian national team matches.
