For almost four years, the future of the legendary Giuseppe Meazza stadium, better known as San Siro, has agitated the city of Milan. Almost every week has brought its share of twists and turns, impact studies, appeal, contradictory announcements. Today, the file finally seems ready to cross a decisive course. The sale of the stadium by the municipality to Inter Milan and AC Milan should be finalized by November 10. A historical tilting that would mark the end of one of the most legendary temples in European football. For supporters, this deadline has a scent of Ultimatum. After this date, the fate of San Siro could be sealed forever. The calendar is tight and leaves room for any delay. The day of truth is close with the voting of the day: the decision is about to be made for sale at Inter and AC Milan. Forza Italia abstains, but the “yes” is looming.
The next 40 days will be devoted to banking and administrative checks before the final signature of the deed of sale. November 10 indeed represents a symbolic and legal limit: after this threshold, the restrictions imposed by the superintendence of the metropolitan city of Milan will enter into force, preventing any demolition of the stadium as long as it would remain public property. This is why the Milanese and Intratis leaders make every effort to conclude before this date, aware that an administrative or judicial blockage would wave the whole project. While San Siro will continue to host the matches and the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in February 2026, the project of the future stadium will follow its own path. The prestigious architectural firms Manica and Foster & Partners are already working on the design of a 71,500 -seat speaker, more modern, more functional and responding to UEFA standards. But this work will take place under high tension.
Remains in discussions
The city, the region, the environmental protection agency and other organizations will have to give their green light during a conference of experts. At the same time, opponents, supporters of a preserved San Siro, will file appeals that may multiply legal obstacles. It is therefore a political and judicial project that opens in parallel with the technical site. The first half of 2027 should see the effective start of the work of the new stadium, in the parking lot adjoining the current Meazza. A gigantic project would then be set up, redrawing the entire sector, including the patroclo tunnel provided to be moved. For several years, Milan would thus live an unprecedented situation: the old San Siro still in service on the one hand, the future temple under construction on the other. Supporters should get used to new constraints, especially for parking and access to matches. According to estimates by the two clubs, four years of work will be necessary before the official inauguration of the new stadium in 2031. The physical disappearance of San Siro will be made in a methodical and mechanical manner.
The first steps will consist in withdrawing all the secondary elements such as windows, barriers, railings, before the intervention of the giant pliers which will cut the structures. The roof will be dismantled first, then the third ring, the second, finally the first. Only certain symbolic vestiges would remain: the southeast angle, part of the orange tribune and the southern curva, like relics of a golden age. For lovers of Italian football, this process will be a painful spectacle, that of a giant who collapses slowly under the blows of mechanical machines. In the background is looming another issue: Euro 2032. Italy will coorganize competition with Turkey, but has only one stage fully meeting the requirements of UEFA – that of Juventus in Turin. San Siro, in its current state, cannot host such an event. The new Milan stadium, on the other hand, would offer an ideal solution … provided that it is finished on time. The next few months will therefore be decisive to find out if Milan will be able to retain its rank of football capital and major international events. Between legal uncertainties, calendar pressure and popular attachment, the countdown is launched for the San Siro monument.
