A new 71,500-seat Generali Stadium will replace the historic San Siro by the 2031-32 season, with AC Milan and Inter unveiling a €1.2bn project designed to close a financial gap with Premier League rivals. The joint venture between the two US-owned clubs aims to overhaul matchday revenue through premium seating and non-football events, though the plans involve demolishing a venue that has stood for a century, according to BBC Sport, The Guardian, and The Independent.
Generali Stadium Design and Capacity
The new arena will feature a 360-degree bowl across two tiers, dropping the three-ring structure of the existing ground. The Independent reported that the stadium frame will consist of 80 huge diamond shapes and a sweeping double-curved roof, reaching 60 meters at the peaks behind the goals. According to The Guardian, architect Norman Foster described the exterior as low in the body and rising at either end. Stadium specialist David Manica noted that the steep seating inclinations of up to 37 degrees will bring fans as close to the pitch as possible. The Independent added that the acoustic design has been engineered to capture crowd energy and minimize noise outside the arena.
🗣️ Cardinale spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport: "I believe a club like Milan and its supporters deserve infrastructure of this quality. This stadium is a POWERFUL statement from me and RedBird about how important all of this is to us." pic.twitter.com/VQPnGkyhvk
The total project covers approximately 281,000 square meters, according to The Independent. Aside from football matches, the venue will host rugby, NFL international games, and concerts. The Guardian noted the stadium could serve as a venue for Euro 2032, which Italy and Turkey are co-hosting.
US owners pursue naming rights to boost income
Both AC Milan and Inter are owned by separate US investment firms. AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale told BBC Sport that the project represents the biggest stadium naming-rights deal in global sports, secured with Italy’s largest insurance company, Generali. Cardinale stated that the stadium is necessary to transform the clubs’ economic model and compete with elite European teams. The clubs aim to generate income by selling just under 12,000 seats as premium or hospitality options, alongside hosting concerts and other sporting events.
Vision, innovation, and future.The key moments from the Generali Stadium unveiling event.@GENERALI pic.twitter.com/nQqluIoyhx
The Independent reported that the two clubs currently generate about €80 million ($93 million) from matchdays. Increased revenue will come from tourist visits, museum tours, and commercial opportunities on non-match days. In 2025, the clubs paid €197m (£164m) to buy San Siro and the surrounding land.
Fans protest demolition plans for historic stadium
AC Milan has played at San Siro for 100 years, while Inter moved into the stadium in 1947. Opened in 1926 as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the current venue is Italy’s largest sports stadium. The Guardian reported that fans protested the demolition plans during the official presentation at Milan’s Castello Sforzesco on Thursday. Inter fans unfurled a banner reading, “You will never extinguish the lights at San Siro,” and chanted “Hands off San Siro.” Previous modernization plans, including Populous’s “The Cathedral” project chosen in 2021, faced years of public debate and bureaucratic delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is construction on the Generali Stadium scheduled to begin?
Construction is expected to begin in 2028 on the site of the existing San Siro venue, according to The Guardian and The Independent.
How much will the new stadium cost to build?
The construction of the Generali Stadium is expected to cost about 1.2bn euros (£1bn), as reported by BBC Sport and The Guardian.
Inspired by Milano's architectural heritage and designed for the future.Generali Stadium brings together design, innovation, and sustainability in one of the most ambitious projects ever envisioned for the city.@GENERALI pic.twitter.com/NYAS3eiTMT
What is the capacity of the planned venue compared to San Siro?
The Generali Stadium will have 71,500 seats across two tiers, while the current San Siro holds 75,000 spectators across three rings.
When was the original San Siro opened?
San Siro opened in 1926 and is the largest sports stadium in Italy, according to The Guardian.
🚨🏟️ OFFICIAL: AC Milan and Inter unveil new Generali Stadium from season 2031/32!San Siro will be demolished according to current plan.The two clubs will both build new stadium with the naming rights sold to Generali until 2052 for €650M. pic.twitter.com/ET12egYK2J
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