History of San Siro Stadium: From 1926 to Today

The Origins: 1926, Piero Pirelli's Dream

The history of San Siro Stadium begins in 1926, when entrepreneur Piero Pirelli, president of AC Milan, decided to give his team a state-of-the-art venue. Milan needed a stadium worthy of its sporting ambition.

The project was entrusted to architect Ulisse Stacchini (the same architect behind Milan's Central Station) and Alberto Cugini. The Nuovo Stadio Calcistico rose in the San Siro area, then a green outskirt of the city, on land purchased specifically for the purpose. The inauguration took place on 19 September 1926 with an initial capacity of around 35,000 spectators.

The first match was Milan versus Inter — a derby, as if fate had already written that this stadium would belong to both teams.

1935: Inter Moves In

Initially the stadium was the exclusive home of AC Milan. But in 1935, the City of Milan acquired the venue and opened the doors to FC Internazionale as well. From that moment began a unique cohabitation in world football: two of the greatest clubs on the planet sharing the same stadium.

This arrangement is virtually unique at the highest level: Real Madrid and Atlético have separate stadiums, Manchester City and United do too. Only Milan and Inter share the same home — and they have done so for nearly 90 years.

1947: The Stadium Becomes "Giuseppe Meazza"

In 1947 the stadium was officially named after Giuseppe Meazza, the legendary Italian striker who played for both Inter and Milan. Meazza is considered one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time: two World Cups (1934 and 1938), 33 goals in 53 caps for the national team, and a career that made him an idol of both sets of fans.

Despite the official name "Stadio Giuseppe Meazza", everyone still simply calls it San Siro — after the neighbourhood that hosts it.

1955: The Second Tier

In the 1950s Italian football was experiencing a popularity boom. The original stadium was no longer enough. In 1955 the second tier was completed, bringing the capacity to around 85,000 spectators. San Siro became one of the largest stadiums in Europe.

The expansion transformed the structure from a neighbourhood stadium into a cathedral of football. The stands filled with passionate fans, derbies became epic events, and Milan established itself as Italy's sporting capital.

1990: The Third Tier and the World Cup

The most iconic moment in San Siro's architectural history came with the 1990 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Italy. The stadium needed a radical modernisation to meet international standards.

Architects Giancarlo Ragazzi and Enrico Hofer designed the third tier and the iconic 11 cylindrical towers that support the structure and have become the stadium's recognisable symbol worldwide. The "petal" roof completed the transformation.

The capacity was raised to around 85,700 seats (later reduced to approximately 75,923 due to safety adjustments). During Italia '90, San Siro hosted the opening match and a semi-final, cementing its status as one of the most spectacular venues on the planet.

Historic Moments at San Siro

Almost a century of history has produced unforgettable moments:

⚽ Champions League / European Cup Finals

• 1965: Inter beat Benfica 1-0 — Herrera's Grande Inter lifted the Cup at home
• 1970: Feyenoord beat Celtic 2-1 — a final on neutral ground at San Siro
• 2001: Bayern Munich beat Valencia on penalties — one of the most dramatic finals
• 2016: Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties — the last final played at San Siro

🏆 1990 FIFA World Cup

San Siro hosted the opening ceremony and 6 matches, including the semi-final Argentina vs Italy — one of the most dramatic matches in football history, with Maradona eliminating the host nation on penalties right in Milan.

🎤 Legendary Concerts

San Siro is also a stage for music. Among the most memorable concerts:

• Bob Marley (1980) — one of the reggae king's last great concerts
• Bruce Springsteen (multiple dates) — "The Boss" has a special relationship with San Siro
• U2 (multiple tours) — spectacular shows with futuristic stages
• Vasco Rossi (attendance records) — the king of San Siro, concerts sold out in minutes
• Coldplay (Music of the Spheres) — the brightest show in the world

For upcoming concerts, check our San Siro 2026 concert list.

The Debate: New Stadium or Renovation?

For years Milan has been debating the future of San Siro. The "La Cattedrale" project by WeBuild proposed a new stadium alongside the Meazza, with the partial demolition of the old venue. The debate involves Milan, Inter, the City Council and the Heritage Authority.

The issues are complex: architectural constraints (the third tier is considered a work of architectural significance), high costs, and the fans' emotional attachment to a stadium that is far more than a sports venue — it is a piece of Milanese identity.

Read more: The New Milan Stadium: What We Know.

San Siro Today: Facts and Figures

• Current capacity: 75,923 seats
• Pitch dimensions: 105 × 68 metres
• Address: Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milan
• Inauguration: 19 September 1926
• Major renovation: 1990 (third tier for the World Cup)
• Resident teams: AC Milan + FC Internazionale
• Official name: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Experience San Siro Up Close

Whether you come for a Serie A match, a Derby della Madonnina, or a concert, experiencing San Siro goes beyond sport and music. It is breathing almost a century of history.

And for the best experience, nothing beats an apartment in the San Siro district: just 10 minutes on foot from the stadium, you can walk home after every event.