Rising from the San Siro district of Milan since September 19, 1926, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — universally known as San Siro — stands as the largest stadium in Italy and one of the most storied sporting venues in the world. Built at the initiative of AC Milan president Piero Pirelli, it began with a capacity of around 35,000 before decades of expansion transformed it into the 75,817-seat colossus it is today, anchored by three tiers and eleven distinctive cylindrical support towers with spiraling helical ramps.
Since 1947, San Siro has served as the shared home of city rivals AC Milan and FC Internazionale — an arrangement virtually unique at the highest level of professional football. Nicknamed ‘La Scala del calcio’ (the Scala of football) after Milan’s legendary opera house, the stadium was formally renamed in honor of Giuseppe Meazza in 1980, celebrating the forward who helped Italy win back-to-back FIFA World Cups in 1934 and 1938.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: AC Milan & Inter Milan
- Location: San Siro district, Milan, Italy
- Opened: September 19, 1926
- Capacity: 75,817
- Official Name: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
- Champions League Finals Hosted: 4 (1965, 1970, 2001, 2016)
- FIFA World Cups Hosted: 1934 & 1990
- UEFA Category: Four (Elite)
Two Giants, One Cathedral
What makes San Siro genuinely unusual among elite European grounds is that two of Italy’s most successful clubs — AC Milan and FC Internazionale — have shared the same turf for decades. The city of Milan purchased the stadium in 1935, paving the way for Inter to join as co-tenants. On derby nights, both sets of fans occupy opposite ends of the same vast bowl, separated only by the roar of up to 75,000 voices in what ranks among football’s most electric atmospheres.
The stadium’s third tier and iconic cylindrical towers were added during a major renovation for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, giving it the dramatic silhouette recognized worldwide. In November 2025, AC Milan and Inter jointly acquired the stadium and surrounding land from the city of Milan for €197 million, marking the beginning of a new chapter that includes long-term plans for a successor venue on the same site.
A Stage for History’s Biggest Nights
San Siro’s guest list reads like a greatest-hits reel of global sport. It has hosted four European Cup and Champions League finals (1965, 1970, 2001, and 2016), witnessed FIFA World Cup matches in both 1934 and 1990 — including the tournament’s iconic opening match, in which Cameroon stunned defending champions Argentina 1–0 to produce one of football’s greatest upsets — and staged UEFA Euro 1980. In February 2026, the ground transcended football entirely when it served as the main venue for the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with performances from Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey, and Laura Pausini broadcast to an estimated two billion viewers worldwide.
Beyond sport, San Siro’s elliptical bowl has welcomed some of the biggest names in live music, from Bob Marley and Bruce Springsteen to U2 and Coldplay, cementing its reputation as not merely a football ground but a cornerstone of Milanese cultural life.
Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.
San Siro FAQs
What is the official name of San Siro?
The official name is Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, adopted in 1980 to honor the legendary Italian forward who won two FIFA World Cup titles with the national team. It remains universally known as San Siro after the Milan district in which it sits.
How many Champions League finals has San Siro hosted?
San Siro has hosted four European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals: in 1965, 1970, 2001, and 2016, making it one of the most frequently used final venues in the competition’s history.
Do AC Milan and Inter Milan both play at San Siro?
Yes. Both AC Milan and FC Internazionale have shared San Siro as their home ground since 1947, a co-tenancy considered virtually unique among Europe’s top clubs and one that produces the fierce Derby della Madonnina inside the same stadium.
Get More from San Siro
log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate San Siro, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Prelvini / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.