INTER, AC MILAN UNVEIL €1.2BN NEW STADIUM TO REPLACE SAN SIRO

Italian football giants Inter Milan and AC Milan have unveiled the design of their proposed new shared stadium, named Generali Stadium, which is expected to replace the iconic San Siro from the 2031/32 season.

The stadium, designed by renowned architect Norman Foster in collaboration with stadium specialist David Manica, will feature a distinctive structure with a low central section and elevated ends behind the goals.

Speaking during a press conference in Milan on Thursday, Foster explained that the design was developed to create a closer connection between spectators and the pitch.

Manica said the project prioritised bringing fans as close to the playing field as possible, with the stands behind the goals designed at a steep 37-degree angle to enhance the viewing experience.

He described the San Siro as more than just a stadium, saying its atmosphere and emotional connection with supporters were central to the design of the new facility.

According to him, the design team focused on recreating the unique atmosphere of the existing stadium while incorporating modern facilities and improved spectator experiences.

The architects also placed significant emphasis on acoustics, with the roof designed to cover the stands while leaving the pitch exposed. The structure is expected to amplify supporters’ chants and create a more intense matchday atmosphere.

Manica explained that the steep design of the stands would allow spectators to sit closer to the action while creating a greater sense of intimacy within the stadium.

The new facility, sponsored by Italian insurance company Generali, will have a seating capacity of 71,500, compared with the current San Siro’s 75,000.

Beyond football, the stadium will also be equipped to host American football games, rugby matches and concerts.

Inter and AC Milan reportedly paid €197 million ($219 million) to acquire the existing stadium and its surrounding parking areas, where the new facility will be constructed.

The entire project is estimated to cost €1.2 billion, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028.

Foster and Manica previously collaborated on the design of London’s Wembley Stadium.

San Siro, officially known as the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, opened in 1926 and remains one of Europe’s most recognisable football venues. Often described as a ‘concrete cathedral’, it is currently the largest stadium in Italy.

Despite undergoing several renovations over the decades, the historic venue no longer meets the modern requirements of spectators and the two clubs.

The existing stadium is expected to be largely demolished as construction of the new facility approaches completion, marking the end of an era for one of European football’s most historic grounds.