AC Milan looking to downsize and move to smaller stadium
Italian club AC Milan is considering proposals to leave its current San Siro stadium and build a new 48,000-capacity stadium in the city.
The club has teamed up sports architects Arup – designers of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena and the National (Bird's Nest) Stadium in Beijing – and revealed plans for a large-scale development in the Portello area of the city.
As well as a new stadium, plans include a hotel, a sports college, restaurants, green areas and public art spaces.
A spokesperson for AC Milan said the mixed-use project will take its inspiration from English stadiums, with the purpose of creating a multi-use venue which is operational on non-matchdays and can be reached by public transport.
“We are looking to create one of the most innovative stadiums in the world,” the club said in a statement.
“We want to create a unique place, planned in collaboration with the Milan Polytechnic Architecture Department and one which will be open seven days a week and not just on match days.
“It will hold 48,000 spectators and provide a truly exciting experience with particular attention towards families, with the latest comforts and the best in security.”
Exact plans and designs are to be confirmed, but the club intimated that it is looking to move in to its new home by the beginning of the 2018-19 Serie A season.
AC Milan’s current home, San Siro, has a capacity of 80,000, but the club only averaged 40,061 spectators during the 2013-14 season. The club shares San Siro with its fierce rival, Inter Milan, which has also hinted at plans to move into a new home.