The Mediolanum Forum is an indoor arena in Assago, a town about 3 km south of Milan, Italy. Opened on October 26, 1990 as the Forum di Assago and designed by architects Giuseppe and Luca Cabassi, the venue has carried several sponsor names over the decades, including FilaForum, DatchForum, Mediolanum Forum (2009-2024), and today’s Unipol Forum.
Built as a multipurpose hall spanning some 40,000 square meters, the arena seats up to 12,800 fans and can hold roughly 15,800 with standing room, making it one of Italy’s largest indoor venues. It remains the home court of EuroLeague and Serie A basketball club Olimpia Milano while doubling as one of the country’s busiest stops for touring musicians.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Assago, Milan, Italy
- Type: Indoor multipurpose arena
- Opened: October 26, 1990
- Capacity: About 12,800 seated (up to 15,800 standing)
- Architect: Giuseppe and Luca Cabassi
- Famous for: Home of Olimpia Milano basketball; hosted the 2015 MTV EMAs
A Stage for Music Legends
Since opening, the arena has welcomed an extraordinary run of touring acts, including David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen (who has played the venue multiple times), Pink Floyd during their 1994 Division Bell tour, U2, the Rolling Stones, Metallica, and Beyoncé, who performed there in May 2013. In 2015, it hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards, cementing its reputation as one of Italy’s premier concert destinations.
More Than a Concert Hall
Beyond music, the arena has long doubled as a major sports venue, hosting the 2014 EuroLeague Final Four and the 2018 World Figure Skating Championships, and it is slated to host figure skating and short-track speed skating for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The building received the 1994 European Prize for Architecture for sports venues and belongs to the European Arenas Association network.
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Mediolanum Forum FAQs
Is Mediolanum Forum still called that today?
No. Unipol took over naming rights in May 2024, and the venue is now known as Unipol Forum. It was called Mediolanum Forum from 2009 to 2024, and before that FilaForum and DatchForum.
How many people does Mediolanum Forum hold?
The arena has an official seated capacity of about 12,800, which can expand to roughly 15,800 when standing room is added for concerts.
Where is Mediolanum Forum located?
It’s in Assago, a town roughly 3 km outside central Milan, Italy, within the Milanofiori complex.
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Photo: Michiolimpia / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.