San Siro Stadium History

Lore & Background

Construction of the stadium commenced in 1925 in the San Siro district of Milan, originally named Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro. The idea belonged to AC Milan president Piero Pirelli. The stadium was inaugurated on 19 September 1926, when 35,000 spectators saw Inter defeat Milan 6–3. Originally the home of Milan, it was acquired by the City Council in the 1930s. In 1947, Inter became tenants and the two teams have shared the ground ever since. From 1939 to 1940, engineers Armando Ronca and Ferruccio Calzolari developed a second extension, adding a second tier of spectator rows. Between 1948 and 1955, a third tier was added, with nineteen spiralling ramps. The highest tier was completed but later partially closed for safety reasons, limiting capacity to 100,000, later reduced to 60,000 seats and 25,000 standing. On 2 March 1980 the stadium was named for Giuseppe Meazza, a two-time World Cup winner who played for Inter and briefly for Milan. The last major renovation took place between 1987 and 1990 for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, increasing capacity to 85,000 and adding a roof with distinctive red girders. In 1996, a museum was opened inside the stadium charting the history of AC Milan and Internazionale.

In Their Own Story

The air in the San Siro is thick with anticipation before the Derby della Madonnina. As the floodlights cut through the Milanese dusk, the spiral ramps fill with a sea of blue and black scarves. The roar begins low, a rumble from the Curva Nord that vibrates through the concrete foundations, growing into a deafening chant that echoes off the steel beams. Here, under the shadow of the giants who came before—Meazza, Facchetti, Maradona, Ronaldo—the current squad steps onto the grass, knowing they walk on hallowed ground where history is not just remembered, but lived.

Reader's Guide

The San Siro is a UEFA category four stadium. It hosted three games at the 1934 FIFA World Cup, the opening ceremony and six games at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, three games at UEFA Euro 1980, and four European Cup finals (1965, 1970, 2001, 2016). It also hosted the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Italy national team occasionally plays matches there. The stadium was used for the home leg of three UEFA Cup finals involving Inter (1991, 1994, 1997) and by Juventus for their 'home' leg in 1995. It hosted the 1951 Latin Cup, won by Milan. Three Milan derby Champions League knockout ties have taken place here (2003, 2005, 2023). In March 2020, a Champions League match between Atalanta and Valencia at the San Siro was dubbed 'Game Zero' due to its link to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did You Know?

• The stadium is nicknamed 'La Scala del calcio' (Italian for 'La Scala of football').
• Giuseppe Meazza played for Inter for 14 years and served two stints as Inter's manager.
• The 2005 Champions League derby second leg was abandoned after Inter fans threw flares at Milan players.
• In June 2019, Milan and Inter announced plans to build a new stadium, but a 2020 heritage ruling initially blocked demolition, though the ruling was later modified.