San Siro: End of an Era as Milan and Inter Push Forward with a Shared 71,500-Seat Stadium

Milano votes to sell and demolish San Siro

The Milan City Council voted Monday evening to approve the sale of San Siro to AC Milan and Inter Milan, clearing the way for the demolition of the current stadium and construction of a new shared home.

After more than 11 hours of debate, including 239 amendments, the decision to sell the stadium and the surrounding 28 hectares owned by the city of Milan was adopted at 3:46 a.m. on Tuesday by a 24‑to‑20 vote with two abstentions.

Milan and Inter will pay €197 million for the current stadium and the adjacent parking areas as they plan to build their new joint stadium, which they will continue to share.

The new venue is expected to open in 2031 and will seat 71,500 spectators, costing about €1.2 billion. Foster + Partners and Manica will design the project.

The present San Siro, opened in 1926 and renovated several times since, is one of Europe’s most famous venues and the largest in Italy with a capacity around 75,000.

Historically, Milan owned the stadium from its opening in 1926 until 1935, hosting its first match against Inter, a 3‑6 defeat witnessed by about 35,000 fans. In 1935 the stadium was sold to the city of Milan, but Milan remained the sole tenant until 1947. Inter, meanwhile, played at a smaller venue, Arena Civica, opened in 1807 and built in a Roman arena style. Since 1947, Inter and Milan have shared San Siro, with the newer facility eventually outgrowing their rental situation.

From a historic vantage, Inter’s and Milan’s shared use helped shape Italian football culture, even as the old arena’s architectural and logistical limitations became increasingly clear as revenue opportunities grew. The redevelopment signals a new chapter in the clubs’ collaboration and in Milan’s urban plan for sports and business facilities.

But the stadium’s demolition won’t erase memories: it’s a chance to create a modern flagship that still nods to San Siro’s storied past while offering enhanced facilities for fans and players alike.

Two punchlines: 1) If stadium debates were a sport, Milan’s council would be undefeated—the only thing they demolish faster than a rumor is a bottleneck in parking. 2) They say sharing is caring; apparently it’s also expensive, but hey, at least the snacks will have premium seating.”