San Siro Stadium

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, known around the world as San Siro, is one of the great football stadiums of Europe and home to two of Italy's most successful clubs, AC Milan and Inter. It opened in 1926, built for AC Milan, and Inter moved in after the Second World War. The stadium is named after Giuseppe Meazza, a legendary forward who played for both clubs and won the World Cup with Italy in the 1930s. For football fans, a match or a stadium tour is one of the highlights of a visit to Milan.

The architecture

San Siro's present shape dates largely from the rebuilding for the 1990 World Cup, when a third tier was added and the stadium was given its distinctive look. Eleven huge concrete cylinders around the outside carry spiral ramps that lead spectators up to the upper levels, and four of them support the red steel girders of the roof. The result is one of the most recognisable stadiums in the world, and even from outside it is a striking piece of architecture.

The museum and tour

The San Siro Museum and Tour lets visitors explore the stadium on non-match days. The route usually includes the dressing rooms of both clubs, the tunnel, the pitchside area and a view of the stands from inside, with the steep tiers rising all around. The museum displays trophies, shirts, photographs and memorabilia from the history of both clubs. Access to some areas depends on events and maintenance, and on match days the tour is limited or closed.

Seeing a match

The football season runs from August to May, and AC Milan and Inter each play home games in Serie A and European competitions. The derby between the two clubs, the Derby della Madonnina, is one of the great fixtures in world football, with spectacular choreography by fans on both sides. Tickets are sold through the clubs' official channels and require the name of the ticket holder and identity documents, so we always book directly with the club and bring our passport.

The stadium's future

San Siro hosted the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, a new chapter in its long history. At the same time, the clubs plan a new stadium nearby, so the future of the current bowl is under discussion. For now, it remains the stage for both teams and one of the most atmospheric places in Italian sport.

Around San Siro

The area around the stadium also includes the San Siro racecourse, where a giant bronze horse based on Leonardo's designs for the Sforza monument stands at the entrance, cast in the 1990s. Monte Stella, a park on an artificial hill, is a short distance away and offers views over the city. CityLife's towers are a few stops away on the same metro line.

After the event

After a match, tens of thousands of people leave at once, so the metro becomes very busy. We wait a little, eat something near the stadium or walk part of the way, and travel back when the crowds have thinned. Trams and buses also serve the area, and some fans walk back towards the centre along the wide avenues, stopping for food on the way.

Our view

Even for visitors who are not football fans, the tour is a memorable way to experience Milanese passion for the sport. Metro M5 stops at San Siro Stadio, directly beside the ground. We combine the visit with the towers of CityLife, the park at Monte Stella or an evening back in the centre. For getting around, our public transport guide explains the metro lines, and our three-day itinerary shows how to fit in a match.