September 27 – After stripping the legendary San Siro Stadium in Milan of hosting right for the 2027 Champions League Final, UEFA has re-opened the bidding process.
In May of this year, UEFA announced that the San Siro, also known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza would host Europe’s grandest club game for a fifth time, however, there was a proviso.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was to submit a detailed plan outlining plans for the multi-million pound refurbishment of the historic venue.
These plans have been delayed though as both AC and Inter Milan, the current tenants of the venue have been considering moving out into their own purpose-built stadia.
With this much uncertainty surrounding UEFA’s premium club event, its Executive Committee announced that they will seek a new venue for the 2027 final.
A statement from the Executive Committee said: “As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan and to re-open the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025.”
The San Siro was originally upgraded prior to Italia ’90 however it is owned by the City of Milan. Without the revamp to bring the stadium in line with other world-class venues, both Milan clubs have not been able to capitalise on the extra match-day income other clubs have secured.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1732326591labto1732326591ofdlr1732326591owedi1732326591sni@o1732326591fni1732326591