Stadio San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza) — Visitor Guide
History, architecture, museum tours, tickets, and everything you need to know about Milan's legendary stadium.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — universally known as San Siro — is one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world. Home to both AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano, this colossal arena has witnessed nearly a century of sporting and musical history. Whether you're attending a match, a concert, or just visiting as a tourist, here's everything you need to know.
A Brief History
The stadium was built in 1926 at the initiative of Piero Pirelli, then president of AC Milan. Originally named "Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro," it initially held around 35,000 spectators and was used exclusively by Milan. Inter joined as co-tenants in 1947, and the stadium has been shared ever since — making it one of the few major stadiums in world football used by two rival clubs.
In 1980, the stadium was officially renamed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in honor of the legendary Italian striker who played for both Inter and Milan. However, almost everyone still calls it San Siro — and that's how we'll refer to it here.
The stadium underwent major renovations for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, which gave it the distinctive third tier and the iconic 11 cylindrical towers that define its modern silhouette. This renovation, designed by Giancarlo Ragazzi and Enrico Hoffer, expanded capacity to over 80,000 and created one of Europe's most recognizable sporting venues.
The Stadium Today
San Siro's current capacity is 75,923 for football matches (reduced from the original 80,000+ due to modern safety regulations and the conversion to all-seated). For concerts, capacity varies depending on the stage configuration, typically accommodating 60,000-80,000 spectators.
Key facts:
- Full name: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
- Common name: San Siro
- Opened: September 19, 1926
- Capacity: 75,923 (football), up to 80,000 (concerts)
- Home teams: AC Milan & FC Internazionale Milano
- Location: Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milan
- Dimensions: Pitch 105m × 68m
Architecture & Design
San Siro's most striking feature is its third tier, added for the 1990 World Cup and supported by 11 cylindrical concrete towers that spiral around the exterior. These towers, connected by ramps, have become the stadium's visual signature. From the surrounding neighborhood, you can see them rising above the rooftops — a constant reminder of the arena's monumental presence.
Inside, the three tiers create an incredibly steep bowl effect, bringing fans close to the pitch with excellent sightlines. The atmosphere on a full night — the "Scala del Calcio" (the La Scala of football, as Italians call it) — is genuinely spine-tingling. The roar of 75,000 fans reverberating off the concrete tiers is something you feel in your chest.
🎟️ San Siro Museum & Tour
Even if you're not attending a match, the San Siro Museum and Stadium Tour is well worth your time:
What You'll See
- The Museum: An extensive collection of trophies, shirts, photos, and memorabilia celebrating the histories of both AC Milan and Inter. Highlights include Champions League/European Cup trophies, historic match jerseys, and interactive displays.
- The Players' Tunnel: Walk through the same tunnel the players use to enter the pitch. It's a surprisingly emotional moment, even for non-football fans.
- Pitch-side Access: Step onto the edge of the pitch and look up at the towering stands. The scale is breathtaking.
- The Dressing Rooms: See where the players prepare before matches — one for Milan, one for Inter.
- The Press Room: Sit where post-match press conferences happen.
Practical Information
- Opening hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Closed on match days and the day before certain events.
- Duration: Approximately 60-90 minutes for museum + tour.
- Tickets: €20-25 (adults), €15 (children/seniors). Book online at the official San Siro website to skip the queue.
- Access: The museum entrance is at Gate 8 (south side of the stadium, Piazzale Angelo Moratti).
- Audio guides: Available in multiple languages including English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Chinese, and Japanese.
From our apartments, it's just a 10-minute walk to the museum entrance.
🎫 How to Buy Match Tickets
Tickets for AC Milan and Inter home matches are sold through each club's official channels:
- AC Milan: acmilan.com — tickets typically go on sale 2-4 weeks before each match.
- Inter: inter.it — similar timeline.
- Prices: Range from €20-30 (third tier, corner positions) to €150+ (first tier, central) for regular Serie A matches. Derby and Champions League matches are significantly more expensive.
- Third-party resellers: Use only official resellers. Avoid touts outside the stadium — tickets may be counterfeit.
Tip: For the best atmosphere, sit in the Curva (the end sections behind the goals) — Curva Sud for Milan fans, Curva Nord for Inter. For the best view of the action, the first tier lateral (side) sections offer superb sightlines.
🎵 Concerts at San Siro
During summer (typically June-July), San Siro transforms into one of Europe's premier outdoor concert venues. Major international artists perform here, and the experience of live music in such a massive, open-air arena is unforgettable. Check our events calendar for upcoming concerts.
The Stadium Seating Map
San Siro is divided into three main tiers (anelli):
- Primo Anello (First Tier): Closest to the pitch. Best views, highest prices. Sections include Arancio (orange), Blu (blue), Verde (green), and Rosso (red).
- Secondo Anello (Second Tier): Mid-level. Good views, moderate prices. Same color-coded sections.
- Terzo Anello (Third Tier): Highest up. The cheapest tickets but furthest from the pitch. The atmosphere here is intense — it's where the most vocal fans sit.
🏗️ The Future: New San Siro
Plans for a new stadium have been discussed for years. Both AC Milan and Inter have explored options ranging from renovating the current San Siro to building an entirely new venue nearby. As of 2026, these plans continue to evolve, with various proposals under consideration. Whatever happens, the current San Siro remains fully operational and continues to host world-class events. Read our detailed guide on the new stadium plans for the latest information.
Getting to San Siro
The stadium is easily reachable by metro, bus, car, or on foot. From our apartments, it's just a 10-minute walk — the easiest way to get there, especially on event days when roads and public transport are crowded.