The San Siro is one of Europe’s most legendary and historic football stadiums. Serving as the home ground for both AC Milan and Inter Milan, it has been the stage for unforgettable moments, ranging from fierce Serie A derbies to unforgettable Champions League encounters.
The venue was selected as the host of the UEFA Champions League final in 2027, however, following the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) details regarding the multi-million-pound renovation plans for the San Siro, the stadium has been stripped of the hosting rights for the marquee event in 2027.
The renovation of the venue is also a major doubt as both teams are willing to move out of the stadium and build their own, which may result in the demolition of the 75,817 seater opened in 1926. According to La Republica, Milan Mayor Beppe Sala has scheduled meetings with executives from both AC Milan and Inter Milan to discuss the future of San Siro. Sala aims to persuade the clubs to pursue a renovation of San Siro, though both teams currently remain focused on constructing new stadiums elsewhere. If financing for the refurbishment cannot be secured, the San Siro may face demolition.
The San Siro, shared by AC Milan and Inter Milan, last hosted the Champions League final in 2016, where Real Madrid triumphed over city rivals Atlético Madrid in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
“As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan and to re-open the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025,” UEFA said in a statement.
This season’s Champions League final will be hosted by Allianz Arena in Munich while Budapest and Milan were the only cities to bid for the 2026 and 2027 finals respectively. Now that Milan has opted out of the hosting rights, UEFA is now open to seeking interest from the other cities that initially did not choose not to bid for the 2027 Champions League final.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony scheduled to take place at San Siro, the city must ensure the stadium meets the required standards for that event. Additionally, there is mounting pressure to expedite the new stadium project, which would further establish Milan as a global football powerhouse.
Iconic Moments at the San Siro Over the Years
San Siro has seen some of the most iconic battles over the years that have produced some magical moments in football history.
Materazzi and Rui Costa: A Memorable Moment Amidst the Fireworks
The most unforgettable and iconic images associated with the San Siro, widely recognized among football fans, are the snapshots captured during the Milan derby in the Champions League of 2004-25 season. The match was abruptly halted when a flare hit Milan goalkeeper Dida. In accordance with UEFA regulations, Milan was awarded a 3-0 victory and a 5-0 aggregate win. Additionally, Inter was forced to play their next four European matches behind closed doors without fans as punishment.
 "Does the Iconic San Siro Faces Demolition? 1")
Nonetheless, the incident became iconic due to the striking images of Materazzi and Rui Costa, both looking bewildered as firemen attempted to extinguish the flares that had been thrown onto the San Siro pitch!
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty wins the Champions League for Real Madrid in 2016
The 2016 Champions League final was played at San Siro between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Sergio Ramos gave Los Blancos a 1-0 lead in the tie, but Yannick Carrasco equalized in the closing stages of the match before celebrating with his girlfriend in the crowd.
With the score still tied after extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo converted the decisive penalty in the shootout, following Juanfran’s missed attempt. Ronaldo celebrated by taking his shirt off, sending the Los Blancos faithful into ruptures.
Mourinho’s masterclass: Inter Milan 3-1 Barcelona (2010)
This moment remains a classic not just for Inter fans but for the entire footballing community. In the Champions League semi-final clash in 2010, few gave Inter a chance against FC Barcelona who came to the Italian capital with a star-studded lineup that included Pedro, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Ibrahimovic.
Although the visitors initially took the lead, a brilliant performance from Inter saw them mount a comeback with goals from Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito, and Maicon, ultimately reversing the game’s outcome and securing their victory in the tie. This European classic concluded with Barcelona’s elimination from the tournament, allowing Inter to advance to the final, where they achieved the remarkable feat of defeating German giants Bayern Munich, becoming the first Italian team to complete a treble in the process.
Read More: Erling Haaland Ties Cristiano Ronaldo’s Record With 100th Manchester City Goal
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
