In a historic decision that marks the end of an era for Italian football, Milan’s City Council has approved the €197 million sale of the iconic San Siro stadium and surrounding land to Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan. The move paves the way for the demolition of the legendary venue and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art stadium.
After more than 11 hours of intense debate, the council voted 24 to 20 in favor of the sale, allowing both clubs—owned by U.S. investment funds—to take control of over 28 hectares of public land on the city’s western outskirts. The approval follows years of uncertainty and failed redevelopment proposals, with both clubs previously threatening to relocate outside Milan if the sale was blocked.
The new stadium, designed by architectural firms Foster + Partners and MANICA, will seat 71,500 spectators and is expected to be completed by 2031. Until then, Inter and AC Milan will continue to play at San Siro, which will be demolished once the new venue is operational. The site will be transformed into parkland, office space, and entertainment facilities.
Political tensions surrounded the vote, with opposition parties—including the League and Brothers of Italy—criticizing the sale price and lack of detailed development plans. However, abstentions from Forza Italia councillors helped push the proposal through. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, a key proponent of the project, hailed the decision as a win for urban renewal and international sports prestige.