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Milano – Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Photo by POAN68 on

Top 10 Facts about San Siro, AC Milan Stadium

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza which is famously known as San Siro is a football stadium in the San Siro District of Milan, Italy. It is home to two great Italian soccer clubs A.C. Milan and Inter Milan. San Siro has a seating capacity of 80,018 which makes it one of the largest stadiums in Europe and the largest in Italy.

The construction of the San Siro commenced in 1925 in the district of Milan with the new stadium originally being named Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro, the New Football Stadium. San Siro was an idea from the president of A.C. Milan who wanted to build a stadium in the same district as the horse racing track. It was designed as a private stadium for soccer only without athletics tracks, characteristics of stadiums built with public funds.

San Siro was inaugurated on 19th September 1926 with 35,000 spectators watching Inter defeat Milan 6-3. There are several interesting things about the San Siro stadium that many people across the world are usually eager to know. Top players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic have played at the San Siro for both the Milan stadiums.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about San Siro, AC Milan Stadium:

1. It was Named after Its Location in Milan

Several landmarks in Milan are named after various locations they are located at. That is the same incident with the San Siro stadium. It was built in the San Siro District of Milan which is a major location in the North of Italy.

San Siro District is located about five kilometres to the northwest of the city centre. The San Siro is not the only sports complex in the San Siro District as there are others including the horse-racing track in the city.

2. San Siro has Another Official Name

The San Siro stadium. Photo by Prelvini on

San Siro is not the official name of the stadium even though it is commonly referred to as that. The official name of the stadium is ‘Stadio Giuseppe Meazza’.

Initially, during the construction of the stadium, it was named Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro which means San Siro New Football Stadium. However, this name was shortened simply to the San Siro.

Later on 2nd March 1980, the stadium was named after one of the most famous footballers in Milan history who had died a year earlier, Giuseppe Meazza. Giuseppe had player for both Milan clubs and had managed Inter two times. The Inter Milan fans referred to the stadium as Meazza because the renowned footballer and manager had closer ties to Inter Milan than AC Milan.

3. San Siro is the Fourth-Largest Stadium in Europe

Various clubs across Europe boast of huge stadiums that accommodate thousands of fans during their matches. Some of these huge stadiums include Wembley, Camp Nou, Allianz Arena and others.

The San Siro stadium is the fourth largest stadium in the whole of Europe. It has a seating capacity of 75,923 making it the fourth biggest in Europe. The only three larger stadiums than San Siro are Camp Nou of FC Barcelona, the Santiago Bernabeu of Real Madrid and the Westfalenstadion of Borussia Dortmund.

4. San Siro is One of the Earliest Built Stadium in Italy

San Siro. Photo by Minnitre on

Several top stadiums in Europe were not built recently, but they took years to become the great stadiums they are. The San Siro stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in Italy and across Europe.

It was built in the San Siro District because the president of AC Milan, Piero Pirelli owned a horse track located in that district making it easier to find a location for the new stadium. The construction began in 1925 and was completed a year later. After its completion, it was only meant for football as it had no athletics track like other stadiums.

San Siro could hold 35,000 people upon its completion which had cost 5 million Lire. Initially, the stadium did not look like how it is in the modern day, but the renovations made over the years got it to what it is currently.

5. The First Match to be Played at San Siro saw Inter beat AC Milan 6-3

A year later after the construction, the stadium was officially inaugurated with a game between the two Milan clubs, Inter Milan and AC Milan. The official match was played on 19th September 1926.

AC Milan was the home team because it had owned the stadium for the first decade while Inter Milan was the away team in this match. AC Milan was humiliated badly as they were defeated 6-3 by their fierce rivals.

6. The City of Milan Purchased the Stadium and Made Huge Renovations

San Siro. Photo by Samoano on

The by-then president of AC Milan, Piero Pirelli was the owner of the stadium for several years after its construction. However, there were no renovations made under their leadership with people expecting the expansion of the stadium.

In 1935, the city of Milan purchased the stadium and began working on its renovations. The four curves of the stadium were built and a new ring was added to the existing stands. Its renovation also included expanding the stadium and bringing the total seating capacity of spectators to 55,000. This was a major upgrade on the stadium.

7. San Siro has 11 Towers which are Its Prominent Feature

Various stadiums across the world have various features that make them unique. The San Siro has 11 massive towers which make it unique. To get more support on the third ring on the 3 stands, these massive towers were built.

The San Siro gets its iconic look from the inside and outside because of the massive towers. Four of the eleven towers at the San Siro were built to support the newly built roof. These four towers are visible when you get into the stadium.

8. San Siro has Hosted 5 European Cups and 2 Champions League Finals

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – San Siro. Photo by D7ckon on

The San Siro stadium has been among the most important stadiums in the world since the 19th century. Several top European matches have been played at the San Siro over the years.

San Siro stadium hosted 3 games at the 1934 FIFA World Cup, 6 matches at the UEFA Euro 1980 and several other European Cup finals. The European Cup finals of 1965 were hosted at the San Siro where Inter won and in 1970 won by Feyenoord.

In 2001, the UEFA Champions League final was hosted at the San Siro which was won by FC Bayern Munich. The Champions League finals of 2016 which were won by Real Madrid were also hosted at the San Siro.

9. The Stadium Houses a museum

Modern-day stadiums across Europe have museums where they keep their trophies and other prestigious things linked to the club. Some of the prestigious clubs with museums include Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The San Siro also has a museum for Inter Milan and AC Milan clubs. This museum offers interactive facilities and a tour for several visitors. The San Siro museum clearly shows the history of both clubs as well as it houses the shirts of the Italian World Cup teams that played in 1982 and 2006.

10. Numerous Huge Concerts have been Held at the San Siro

Stadio San Siro – Giuseppe Meazza. Photo by D7ckon on

San Siro has not only been a home for football but also for some major activities too. A single boxing match took place at the San Siro in 1960 as well as a Rugby match in 2009. Major concerts have also been hosted at the San Siro stadium over the years.

Since the 1980s, some of the biggest concerts in Italy have been hosted at the San Siro. The first concert to be held at the San Siro stadium was by Bob Marley and the Wailers during their Uprising Tour on 27th June 1980.

The San Siro stadium will always remain to be a significant venue for both football and non-football events. Even though there are plans to demolish it and build a greater and more modernised stadium, the current San Siro will remain an iconic landmark in Milan and the world.

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