Fakayejo Paul
MILAN, ITALY — In a historic vote that marks the beginning of the end for one of football’s most iconic grounds, the Milan City Council has officially approved the sale of the San Siro stadium and its surrounding area to AC Milan and Inter Milan.
The marathon council debate concluded in the early hours of Tuesday morning with a vote passing the resolution, valued at an estimated €197 million (approximately $233 million).
What Happens Next?
This decision is the crucial breakthrough both clubs have sought for years, paving the way for a massive urban regeneration project that will see the legendary Stadio Giuseppe Meazza—often simply known as San Siro—largely demolished.
The two clubs, now owners of the land, will move forward with their joint plan to:
- Demolish the majority of the existing 99-year-old stadium.
- Build a brand-new, modern, 71,500-seat stadium on the same site.
- Transform the surrounding area into a new sports and entertainment district, complete with museums, shops, and green spaces.
The sale is reportedly set to be finalized before a critical deadline of November 10th, when a cultural heritage restriction on the stadium’s second tier would make demolition virtually impossible.
The new state-of-the-art venue is targeted for completion by 2031, allowing it to be a key host site for the Euro 2032 tournament, which Italy is set to co-host with Turkey.
The existing San Siro is still scheduled to host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics before its final curtain call.