AC Milan and Inter confirm San Siro demolition and reveal new stadium plans

AC Milan and Inter Milan have confirmed plans to demolish the iconic San Siro and replace it with a state-of-the-art shared stadium, ending an era at one of Europe’s most iconic football venues. The two Serie A giants have revealed the design of the proposed 71,500-seat Generali Stadium, with the new venue set to open in the 2031-32 season.

The project was unveiled on Thursday 29 October at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, with the clubs also announcing a 20-year naming rights deal with Italian insurer Generali. The €650 million deal has been described by the clubs as one of the largest stadium naming rights deals in global sport.

The new stadium will be built by the clubs’ respective owners, RedBird Capital Partners and Oaktree, with architects Foster + Partners and MANICA leading the design. Lord Norman Foster and David Manica, who previously collaborated on London’s Wembley Stadium, drew inspiration from Milan’s Duomo for the proposed venue.

“The most important thing we realized when designing this project is that the San Siro is a feeling. It’s more than a building, it’s a feeling and all we needed to do here was transfer that to the new building,” said Manica.

SAN SIR’S LEGACY TO MAKE A WAY TO A NEW HOME

Opened in 1926 and renovated before the 1990 World Cup, San Siro has been home to both Milan clubs for more than eight decades. Also known as the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, the ground is famous for its towering spiral staircases, red beams and passionate Curva sections. However, its aging infrastructure and facilities are increasingly lagging behind modern European stadiums.

The new design will feature two tiers of seating forming a continuous 360-degree bowl, with steep stands rising behind the goals. The inclination of the seats up to 37 degrees is intended to bring fans closer to the action and recreate the atmosphere associated with the existing terrain.

“We started with proximity. We brought all the seats as close to the field as possible. They couldn’t be closer, it will actually feel like you’re sitting on grass,” Manica said.

WHAT WILL CHANGE AT THE NEW GENERALI STADIUM?

A closer look at the event: Steep grandstands with a slope of up to 37 degrees bring the spectators closer to the pitch.
Modern seat bowl: The two layers will form a continuous 360-degree bowl, replacing the current configuration of the San Siro stadium.
Multipurpose place: The new pitch will be equipped to host football, rugby, American football and concerts.
Improved public spaces: The wider redevelopment will include green spaces, retail, leisure facilities and public spaces.
New match experience: The goal of the proposal is to improve the atmosphere and provide fans with more modern facilities.

CONSTRUCTION TARGETED FOR 2028

The new venue will have a capacity of 71,500 compared to the existing 75,000 at the San Siro. The clubs acquired the land from the city of Milan for €197 million in November 2025, paving the way for redevelopment. The overall project is estimated to cost around €1.2 billion, with construction expected to start in 2028, subject to planning approval.

San Siro will be largely demolished as the new stadium project nears completion. For Milan and Inter, the move is aimed at creating a modern home capable of improving matchday revenue and keeping pace with Europe’s leading clubs. For supporters, however, the move will mean saying goodbye to a football landmark that has defined generations of Milanese football.

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