San Siro Stadium: Last Games Before Demolition for Milan Olympics & New Build
- MILAN – The iconic San Siro stadium in Milan is preparing for its final major event: the opening ceremony of the February 6, 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
- In November, Inter Milan and AC Milan finalized the acquisition of San Siro and the surrounding land from the city of Milan, clearing the path for the construction...
- The decision to demolish and rebuild, rather than renovate, reflects a strategic move by the clubs to compete with the revenue-generating capabilities of their counterparts in the English...
MILAN – The iconic San Siro stadium in Milan is preparing for its final major event: the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. This event marks the beginning of the end for the 99-year-old arena, as plans are firmly in place for its demolition to make way for a new stadium project spearheaded by the city’s two football giants, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
A New Stadium Rises from the Old
In November, Inter Milan and AC Milan finalized the acquisition of San Siro and the surrounding land from the city of Milan, clearing the path for the construction of a modern replacement. The new stadium is slated to be completed in time to potentially host matches during the European Championship, which Italy will co-host with Turkey. The current stadium has a capacity of just under 76,000, which will be reduced to 60,000 for the Olympic opening ceremony.
The decision to demolish and rebuild, rather than renovate, reflects a strategic move by the clubs to compete with the revenue-generating capabilities of their counterparts in the English Premier League. Modern stadiums offer significantly increased matchday revenue, hospitality options, and commercial opportunities – all crucial in the increasingly competitive landscape of European football.
More Than Just ‘San Siro’: A History of Names and Nicknames
Despite its popular name, “San Siro” is technically a misnomer. The stadium was originally named after the San Siro district of Milan where it is located. However, in , it was officially renamed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in honor of the legendary Italian footballer who starred for both Inter Milan and AC Milan. Giuseppe Meazza, a two-time World Cup winner with Italy, spent the majority of his career at Inter, with a brief stint at Milan, and also served as Inter’s manager on three occasions.
While officially Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the stadium continues to be widely known as San Siro, particularly among AC Milan supporters. Inter fans are more likely to use the official name, Meazza. The arena also carries the affectionate nickname “La Scala del calcio” – “La Scala of soccer” – a reference to the famed Milanese opera house, signifying its cultural importance to the city.
From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Status
The stadium’s construction, completed in a remarkably swift 13 months between and , makes it the fifth oldest stadium still in operation in Italy. However, its initial form was vastly different from the globally recognized structure it is today.
Piero Pirelli, then president of AC Milan, drew inspiration from English football stadiums when designing San Siro. The original design featured four separate stands and was specifically tailored for soccer, without an athletics track. Interestingly, the space beneath the stands wasn’t solely dedicated to team facilities; portions were used as stables, barns, and storage for fodder, reflecting the proximity to a local horseracing track.
Initially accommodating 35,000 spectators, the stadium underwent expansions in , increasing capacity to 55,000 with the addition of curved edges connecting the stands. The city council acquired ownership of the stadium shortly thereafter. Further expansion in , with Inter Milan joining AC Milan as tenants, saw the addition of a second ring, boosting capacity to over 80,000.
For over three decades, San Siro remained largely unchanged until a major renovation prior to the World Cup. This renovation resulted in the stadium’s current recognizable form, featuring a third tier (on three sides) supported by the iconic cylindrical towers that provide access to the stands and support the roof structure.
A Venue for More Than Just Football
San Siro officially opened on , with a friendly match between Inter and Milan, which Inter won 6-2. Its first league game followed the next month, with Milan losing 2-1 to Sampierdarenese.
Beyond football, San Siro has hosted numerous Italy national team matches, including three games during the World Cup and six during the World Cup. It also served as a venue for three matches during the European Championship.
The stadium’s versatility extends to other sports, having hosted rugby and boxing events. It has also been a popular concert venue, welcoming artists such as Vasco Rossi, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and The Rolling Stones.
San Siro was originally slated to host the Champions League final, but uncertainty surrounding the timeline for the new stadium construction led UEFA to relocate the event to another venue two years ago.