The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, better known as San Siro, is set to cease to exist in 2031, with a new Milanese stadium in the pipeline to replace it.
For a number of years, talks have been ongoing between Serie A sides Inter and AC Milan and the local city government over creating a new modern stadium, with Italy and Turkey set to co-host the 2032 UEFA European Championship.
The historic San Siro will remain standing while the new stadium is built next door. Demolition of the 99-year-old venue is scheduled to take place sometime in 2031 or even 2032, once the new arena is fully completed and operational.
The Generali Stadium
The new Milan stadium will be called the Generali Stadium, backed by a 20-year naming rights agreement with the insurance company. It is set to be designed by architectural firms Foster + Partners and MANICA.
The new ground will have a capacity of 71,500 seats, including 13,000 VIP seats, and will feature a concrete X-frame structure inspired by the city's Duomo cathedral.
End of an icon
San Siro is widely regarded by football fans around the world as one of the definitive temples of the game. The stadium is not just one of the largest grounds in Europe, with a capacity of over 75,000, but also an architectural monument whose brutalist design, shared history and matchday atmosphere helped create the modern archetype of a footballing cathedral.
Apart from hosting some of the most compelling Serie A clashes involving tenants Inter and AC Milan over the years, the stadium also hosted the opening match of the 1990 World Cup, which saw Cameroon's shock victory over holders Argentina, as well as four European Cup and Champions League finals, in 1965, 1970, 2001 and 2016.
