FIERCE COMPETITION ON AND OFF THE STADIUM

The Rings of Milano | Manica/Sportium

Located on the historic San Siro grounds, the district will be active 365 days a year, with priority given to safety, security and sustainability. This mixed-use urban neighbourhood will be dedicated to sports, entertainment and shopping facilities.

“AC Milan and FC Internazionale have shared a stadium in San Siro for more than 70 years,” says Paolo Scaroni, chairman of AC Milan. “The project’s strength is the two club’s commitment together for the new Milano Stadium. It means increased investments and a common goal to give the city a sports and entertainment district, which is alive all year round thanks to events involving both teams and creating jobs for more than 3500 people.”

The Rings of Milano | Manica/Sportium

“The project reflects the DNA of innovation and progress, which is historically embedded in our city, and the recent progress that has brought Milan back to being an avant-garde, attractive and international city,” adds Alessandro Antonello, Corporate CEO of FC Internazionale. “The multifunctional district will be built to the highest standards of eco-sustainability in order to allow the San Siro district to once again re-establish itself as a destination of European and world excellence for sports and entertainment.”

The two designs, by Populous and Manica/Sportium, will now be scrutinised by fans, residents and city authorities, with a survey set to be launched on the stadium’s official website.

The Cathedral | Populous

According to its architect, Populous, the Cathedral scheme will “elevate standards in fan experience, stadium atmosphere and community engagement — delivering a new icon for Milano that is true to its people and honours its heritage.” The design draws from two of Milan’s most recognisable buildings: the Duomo, the city’s landmark cathedral, and the Galleria, the adjacent shopping arcade.

Populous claims that the bespoke seating bowl will be the most intimate in Europe, bringing fans close to the action to create “an unforgettable atmosphere”. A sunlit galleria encircles the stadium enveloped by a glass façade. This democratic space offers a wide range of food and beverage outlets informed by the city’s food culture.

The Cathedral | Populous

“The Cathedral has been designed to create a unique home for the fans and supporters of AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano, with bespoke installations that dramatically change the appearance of the architecture and incorporate the clubs’ unique identities into the building fabric,” explain the architects. “For inter Milan, a coiled viper of blue light wraps itself around the stadium; while for AC Milan, the vertical buttresses glow a smouldering red, emanating from the depths of the building.”

The Cathedral | Populous

The stadium is designed to be one of the most sustainable in Europe. Naturally cooled and passively heated, its roof is topped with photovoltaic panels that generate electricity to be stored in battery banks for later use. Furthermore, all rainwater is collected from the canopy and reused. The stadium is surrounded by 22 acres of greenspace, which reduce water runoff and counteract the ‘heat island’ effect. Meanwhile, the entire district is connected to a central heating and cooling system.

The scheme designed by Manica/Sportium comprises two rings, interlocked and set apart in perfect balance. According to the design team, this illustrates that the Milanese people are the true link to preserving the legacy and future of football in the district of San Siro. Serving as a living element of the building’s architecture and a true reflection of its city, the façade of the stadium captures the faces of more than 16,000 fans.

The Rings of Milano | Manica/Sportium

The arena is carefully integrated into a broader masterplan that will revitalise and transform San Siro into a park and entertainment district. The landscape design considers the memory of the historic San Siro by preserving the original pitch’s location and reimagining it as a gift to the community. A comprehensive mixed-use development is concealed within a landscape design that creates a wide variety of comfortable places for people to gather.

The Rings of Milano | Manica/Sportium

The stadium’s linked rings accommodate both led and architectural solutions for branding and team changeover between matches. This conversion technique allows Internazionale fans to approach an all blue building during their home matches, while AC Milan supporters will approach an all-red arena for their home games.

Matches between the two sides will see each supporter’s curva coloured according to their club, symbolising two historic teams, locked together in opposition but united together for the people of Milan. The stadium also features two museums and megastores, one for each team, while a wide variety of amenities hope to create an exceptional guest experience.

Via designboom