By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
The San Siro, Italy’s grand old dame of football, is on borrowed time. After a marathon city council session that dragged into the wee hours of September 30, AC Milan and Inter Milan secured a €197 million deal to buy the iconic stadium and its surrounding 70 acres. By 2031, the 99-year-old arena—where legends like Van Basten, Baggio, Ronaldo De Lima and array of unending football legends lit up the pitch—will face partial demolition to make way for a €1.2 billion, state-of-the-art stadium that aims to vault Milan back to the pinnacle of European football.
The 24–20 vote, sealed at midnight on September 30th amid heated debate, ends years of wrangling over the San Siro’s fate. For AC Milan (owned by RedBird) and Inter (backed by Oaktree Capital), the aging venue—last overhauled for the 1990 World Cup—has become a financial albatross, its outdated facilities dragging down matchday revenue compared to rivals across Europe. The new 71,500-seat stadium, crafted by Foster + Partners and Manica, promises a futuristic fan experience with eco-friendly design, premium amenities, and a vibrant urban complex of shops, hotels, and parks. “This is about keeping Milan competitive,” said Inter CEO Alessandro Antonello. “We’re building a legacy, not just a stadium.”
But the decision has sparked a firestorm. Fans like Giulia Moretti, 29, who grew up in the Curva Sud, are torn. “I cried when I heard,” she said, clutching a faded AC Milan scarf. “San Siro is our heart”. On X (formerly Twitter) @BrucePerdu called it “vandalism of history,” while others, like @milan_fans2020, hailed the “world-class” vision. Director Ken Loach joined the dissent, branding the demolition a “cultural crime.”
The logistics are daunting. Demolition, set for after 2031, will cost €80 million due to hazardous materials like asbestos from the 1926 original structure. About 10% of the stadium—possibly its iconic spiral towers—may be spared for heritage reasons. Construction of the new venue starts in 2027 on adjacent land, ensuring matches continue uninterrupted, with completion eyed for Euro 2032. The project’s €1.2–1.3 billion price tag includes a sprawling 281,000 sqm redevelopment, which critics like the 5-Star Movement slam as a “real estate grab.”
The clock is ticking. The sale must close by November 10 to dodge a heritage protection order on the stadium’s 1955 second tier. For now, San Siro will host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening and more Serie A showdowns. But its days are numbered. A century of magic, gone for progress.” Whether that progress honours or erases the San Siro’s soul remains the question.
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