Inter Milan and AC Milan have taken the final step in securing their future outside the iconic San Siro stadium. The two Serie A giants announced on Wednesday, November 5 that they have completed the purchase of the land on which the historic stadium sits, marking the beginning of the end for the beloved arena, which is now set for demolition.
The clubs confirmed “the signing of the deed of sale with the Municipality of Milan,” a move finalized barely a month after receiving city council approval for the acquisition.
The completion of the sale was critical, as the clubs obtained approval to purchase the land for 197 million euros ($231 million). The deadline to finalize the acquisition was rapidly approaching; failure to complete the sale by next Monday would have triggered a public building protection order for the San Siro’s distinctive second tier, effectively blocking the demolition plans.
With the deed signed, the two rivals can now push ahead with a massive project valued at around 1.2 billion euros. This development will radically transform an area of just over 28 hectares (70 acres) on the western outskirts of Milan.
The plans involve constructing a modern, 71,500-capacity arena on land immediately west of the current stadium, which is currently occupied by matchday car parking and a public park. The San Siro will continue to be used until the new ground is ready.
Once the new stadium is constructed, the current San Siro—nicknamed football’s La Scala and the longtime home of the two clubs that have collectively been crowned European champions 10 times—will be almost entirely demolished. The cleared space will be repurposed for new parkland, office space, and entertainment facilities, designed by architectural firms Foster and Partners and MANICA.
The clubs are hoping to have the new stadium ready in time for Euro 2032, which is set to be jointly hosted by Italy and Turkey. Italy’s football federation must communicate its five official stadium picks for the tournament to UEFA by October next year. This timeline gives the Milan clubs the opportunity to present their new venue, provided construction works begin by March 2027.
In a final moment of glory for the current arena, the San Siro is scheduled to host the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 6.
