Inter and AC Milan announced a joint plan to replace their shared San Siro stadium with a new 71,500‑seat venue, the Generali Stadium, set to open in the 2031‑32 season. The two clubs, which jointly own the current 75,000‑seat Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, will invest about €1.2 billion (roughly £1 billion) into the project, which will be sponsored by Italy’s largest insurance company, Generali. The announcement was made during a gala at Milan’s Castello Sforzesco, where the clubs unveiled the design and timeline for the new arena.
The Generali Stadium will be built on the same site as the existing San Siro, with construction slated to begin in 2028. Architect Norman Foster described the layout as “low in the body, and rises up at either end” behind the goals, a design that aims to bring spectators as close to the pitch as possible. Stadium specialist David Manica, who worked with Foster on the project, emphasized that the steep‑sided configuration will create a “feeling” similar to that of the current stadium, with seats positioned so close to the field that fans will feel as if they are sitting on the grass. The venue will also be versatile enough to host NFL international games, rugby matches and concerts, and could serve as a venue for Euro 2032, which will be jointly hosted by Italy and Turkey.
The announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans. Before the briefing began, a group of Inter supporters entered the courtyard of the castle and unfurled a banner that read “you will never extinguish the lights at San Siro,” while chanting “hands off San Siro.” Despite the opposition, both clubs remain committed to the project, having already paid €197 million (about £165 million) to acquire the current stadium and its adjacent parking arenas. Once the new stadium is complete, the existing San Siro will be largely demolished, although the iconic structure will retain its historical significance.
The Generali Stadium’s design draws on experience from previous high‑profile projects, including Foster’s work on Wembley Stadium and the proposed 100,000‑seat home for Manchester United. The new arena is expected to enhance the matchday experience for both clubs’ supporters while providing a modern facility that meets international standards for football, rugby, and other events. With construction set to begin in 2028, Inter and Milan are poised to usher in a new era for Italian football, replacing the historic San Siro with a state‑of‑the‑art stadium that promises to be a landmark for the sport in the years ahead.