On September 30, 2025, AC Milan and Internazionale Milano football clubs noted their insights on the $1.5 billion New Milan stadium. The clubs noted that the Milan City Council had given preliminary approval for the sale of San Siro Stadium. Officially named the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, it is one of the city’s most recognized sports venues. Located about six kilometers from central Milan, the stadium is among the largest in Europe. Furthermore, it was spared from demolition in 2023 after the Regional Commission for the Cultural Heritage of Lombardy recognized its cultural significance.
According to the clubs’ joint statement, the City Government’s latest decision will enable the design of a new international-standard stadium. It is alongside an urban regeneration project for the surrounding area, reportedly led by Foster + Partners and MANICA. The announcement comes only months before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Moreover, it is an event that will initiate the farewell period for San Siro as an active venue. However, plans to demolish San Siro and replace it with a new facility is facing opposition from political figures, local residents, and heritage groups. Once complete, its construction will be ranked among the world’s most expensive football stadiums
Project Factsheet
Significance
- A $1.5 billion urban renewal program to replace Milan’s legendary San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza) Stadium.
- A new era for Italian football, constructed to the best world standards of sports venues.
- Aims to construct a new, high-technology and sustainable stadium that will be a new landmark for Milan.
- As part of a broader urban regeneration plan with the city’s development and modernization goals before it hosts large international sporting events.
Infrastructure:
- Upon construction, the stadium will have a capacity of approximately 71,500 seats with cutting-edge architectural design with an emphasis on visibility and fan experience.
- Designed by Foster + Partners and MANICA with two gigantic interconnected rings to optimize viewlines and stadium acoustics.
- Around 90% of the existing San Siro building will be demolished, with selected heritage sites in the second tier to remain.
- The redevelopment is around 281,000 square meters near Milan’s city center and includes mixed-use facilities for retailing, hospitality, and leisure.
Developer/Consortium:
- Jointly developed by AC Milan and Inter Milan football clubs.
- Architectural design and master planning guided by Foster + Partners and MANICA.
- Precedes earlier concept proposals by Populous (2021) and Stefano Boeri Architetti with ARUP and Fabio Novembre (2022).
- Approved by the Milan City Council through preliminary approval for selling off and redeveloping the San Siro land.
Funding/Timeline:
- Total approximate cost of the project: $1.5 billion.
- Preliminary approval by the Milan City Council in September 2025.
- The clubs plan to unveil the full urban development plan in the first half of 2026.
- Building will commence following approval, whilst San Siro will continue operational until handover of the project.
State of Affairs Regarding the New Milan Stadium
The New Milan stadium is one that is expected to usher in a new era in Italian football as the stadium sale was welcomed. The clubs had previously stated they might relocate outside Milan if the plan were rejected. According to their statement, the decision “will lead to the creation of a new stadium meeting the highest international standards.” Furthermore, it will be a world-class facility destined to become a new architectural icon for Milan and a symbol of football passion worldwide. According to Euronews, around 90 percent of the existing stadium will be demolished. On the other hand, a heritage section in the second tier is expected to be preserved. The sale includes both the stadium and adjacent land, as part of an urban regeneration project.
The regeneration covers approximately 281,000 square meters near Milan’s city center. Discussions about redeveloping the site date back to 2019 included alternative proposals such as Populous’s project announced in 2021. Furthermore, it entailed International Forest Stadium by Stefano Boeri Architetti, ARUP, Fabio Novembre, and Balich Wonder Studio in 2022. Foster + Partners and MANICA are expected to present a design for a 71,500-seat stadium to be built next to the current site. The firms are an architectural firm specializing in large-scale sports and entertainment venues. According to Domus, the new design will feature two large rings with optimized sightlines for spectators. Milan and Inter plan to submit the urban development plan to the City of Milan during the first half of 2026. On the other hand, San Siro will continue to host matches until the new facility is completed.
