San Siro, the iconic stadium in Milan, is marking its 100th anniversary this year amid plans for a major redevelopment that will see the venue replaced by a modern facility. The historic stadium, home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan, has long been regarded as one of the most renowned football venues worldwide but is now facing the end of an era as the clubs prepare to build a new stadium nearby.
Alessandro Costacurta, a former Milan defender with 663 appearances for the club, recalls his earliest experiences at San Siro with a mix of nostalgia and realism. Although not initially a Milan supporter, Costacurta was introduced to the stadium at age 12 alongside his brother. He later joined Milan’s youth academy and forged a distinguished career with the team, contributing to multiple domestic titles and European triumphs. Reflecting on the stadium’s significance, Costacurta acknowledges its beauty and historical stature but notes its shortcomings: “San Siro is not a modern stadium. It’s an icon, it’s incredibly beautiful, but it’s not functional.” He highlights issues such as inadequate elevators, outdated lounges, and notoriously poor restroom facilities.
The ownership of San Siro and surrounding land was jointly acquired by AC Milan and Inter Milan at the end of 2025 from the city council. The clubs intend to begin construction of the new stadium early next year, targeting completion in 2031. The new venue, designed by Foster + Partners and Manica, will feature modern amenities and multifunctional spaces, along with regenerated retail and hospitality zones. This move aligns with Milan’s new ownership under RedBird, which since taking over in 2022 has emphasized infrastructure investment as a key element in boosting the club’s competitiveness, particularly as Serie A teams seek to narrow the financial gap with leagues such as the English Premier League.
Despite the forthcoming transition, the relationship between Milan and Inter remains cordial, with Costacurta describing the Milan derby atmosphere as “friendly” compared to more intense rivalries elsewhere. He recalls some of his most memorable moments were victories at Inter’s stadium, including a notable 6-0 win in 2001 when Milan were officially the visiting team.
Costacurta also points out a distinctive feature of San Siro: its unusually steep stands, which create an intense and often overwhelming atmosphere for visiting teams. He attributes a home advantage in part to these acoustics, noting the stadium’s famous “Roar!” on matchdays. The stadium maintained standing sections during his early years, where supporters could be heard loudly shouting and chanting, sometimes with tough but endearing insults directed at players like himself, who was nicknamed “pè de ghisa” (iron foot) in reference to his developing skills.
As the clubs say goodbye to San Siro, they have vowed to preserve some elements of the old structure within the new development to retain a connection to the stadium’s legacy. Costacurta compares the transition to the experience Arsenal faced moving from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, noting how fans initially struggled with the change but ultimately embraced the new venue.
With Euro 2032 on the horizon, the new San Siro aims to combine the rich football heritage of the original stadium with modern facilities designed to meet the demands of contemporary sport and entertainment. The redevelopment marks a significant chapter in the history of Italian football’s most celebrated ground, balancing respect for tradition with the need for progress.