Milan’s San Siro Stadium: A Historic Venue Prepares for Its Final Event
MILAN (AP) — The renowned San Siro stadium in Milan is preparing for what may be its final grand event as it gears up to host the opening ceremony for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. This iconic venue, which has been home to the legendary soccer teams, Inter Milan and AC Milan, has stood for 99 years and will soon be demolished as part of plans for a new stadium. In November, the soccer clubs finalized their acquisition of San Siro and its surrounding grounds from the city, with ambitions to erect a new venue that will be ready in time to co-host the 2032 European Championship alongside Turkey. At present, San Siro can accommodate close to 76,000 fans, but for the Olympics ceremony, that number will be limited to 60,000.
History and Heritage
Located in the San Siro district of Milan, the stadium was originally named for its area but was officially renamed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in 1980 to honor the famous Milanese soccer player who passed away that year. A two-time World Cup champion with Italy, Meazza had an illustrious career mainly with Inter and also spent a brief period with AC Milan, even managing Inter multiple times. While fans of Inter often refer to it as Meazza, many still affectionately call it San Siro. Additionally, the stadium is known as “La Scala del calcio,” drawing a parallel with the famous Milanese opera house due to its historical significance.
Architectural Evolution
The stadium’s construction was swift, taking only 13 months from its start in August 1925 to completion in September 1926, making it the fifth oldest active stadium in Italy. The original design, inspired by English soccer stadiums thanks to the then-president of AC Milan, Piero Pirelli, featured four distinct stands and was specifically built for soccer. Interestingly, some parts of the stadium were initially repurposed as stables for nearby horse racing activities. Capacity was first set at 35,000, but by 1935 it was raised to 55,000 following renovations and enhancements made after the city acquired the venue. By the 1950s, after the addition of a second tier and further expansions, its seating capacity grew beyond 80,000.
More than Just Soccer
San Siro has been a pivotal venue for sports and entertainment since its opening on September 19, 1926, starting with a friendly match where Inter triumphed over Milan 6-2. The stadium has hosted several international soccer matches, including key games during the 1934 and 1990 FIFA World Cups and the 1980 European Championship. It has also diversified its offerings with events across rugby and boxing, alongside unforgettable concerts featuring international music legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Madonna, and The Rolling Stones. Although it was set to host the 2027 Champions League final, plans fell through due to uncertainties regarding its imminent renovations.
