by InTrieste
On Friday, 6 February, San Siro Stadium, one of Italy’s most iconic sports venues, will host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, offering a final global spotlight before the historic stadium’s partial demolition.
Built in 1925 and officially named Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, San Siro has long been the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan. Over its century-long history, the stadium has undergone multiple expansions, shaping its distinctive fortress-like appearance.
The 2026 Winter Olympics provided a temporary reprieve for the stadium, ensuring it remains intact to host the ceremony. After the Games, demolition and redevelopment plans will proceed, including a new 71,500-seat stadium, parkland, offices, hotels, and entertainment facilities. A portion of the second tier and one of the iconic towers may be preserved as a historical marker.
City officials and the clubs cited financial and logistical reasons for the redevelopment. San Siro, a city-owned stadium, is difficult to monetize, and its aging infrastructure no longer meets modern UEFA standards for major events. A new stadium is expected to generate significantly more revenue for the clubs.
For now, San Siro will take center stage as athletes from around the world march into a venue that has hosted generations of football legends, before making way for Milan’s sporting future.
