Centenary stadium: San Siro celebrates 100 years!
This Saturday, 19 September 2026, San Siro celebrated its 100th anniversary, following its inauguration in 1926. Let’s look back at the key milestones in the history of San Siro.
When talking about legendary and iconic stadiums, San Siro often stands out as one of the main references in Europe. Its extraordinary architecture, cylindrical towers, huge size, atmosphere, history and its 2 legendary clubs all contribute to what makes it so memorable.
San Siro celebrates 100 years!
This Saturday, 19 September 2026, San Siro celebrated its centenary!
Inaugurated on 19 September 1926 with four stands, the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium has therefore lived through 100 years of history.
Here are some key stages in the evolution of the stadium:
- 19 September 1926: San Siro is inaugurated after 13 months of construction, with a capacity of 35,000.
- 1935: the 4 curves are added to the 4 existing stands, increasing the capacity to 55,000.
- 1955: construction of San Siro's second tier, including the famous spiral ramps that run all the way up the stands. The capacity reaches 85,000.
- 1957: a lighting system is installed to allow matches to be played at night.
- 1980: the stadium is renamed Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in honour of the player who passed away in 1979, a two-time World Cup winner with Italy in 1934 and 1938, who played for both AC Milan and Inter.
- 25 April 1990: the third tier, roof and cylindrical towers are added. This is the final version of San Siro as we know it today. Capacity reaches 85,700, following a renovation carried out ahead of the 1990 World Cup. San Siro hosted 6 matches during the 1990 World Cup.
Will San Siro be demolished soon?
This is a project that has been under discussion for several years and the debate remains very open: San Siro is ageing, and AC Milan and Inter want a new stadium to meet modern standards and increase stadium-related revenues through new services and experiences.
In November 2025, AC Milan and Inter acquired San Siro and the surrounding land. The plan is to build a new modern stadium right next to San Siro. As for San Siro, it is expected to be demolished as it will no longer have a purpose, although some sections could be preserved for historical reasons.
In June 2026, the historic south ticket office of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium was demolished, marking the first step.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027. This project is also linked to Euro 2032, which will be hosted by Italy and Turkey.
AC Milan and Inter will continue to play their matches at San Siro while the new stadium is being built, before its demolition, currently planned for around 2032. However, everything could still change, as this is a project that has led to numerous debates between the clubs, supporters, the city and many other stakeholders.
So don't hesitate to visit San Siro, there are still a few years left to enjoy it! To attend a match at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, visit our Stadium Traveller page, where we share all the practical information and ticketing details, as well as information about stadium tours.
