San Siro loses out on hosting 2027 Champions League final

UEFA has announced that the 2027 Champions League final will no longer be held at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, citing uncertainties surrounding possible renovation projects.

The European football governing body revealed that Milan was unable to assure that the stadium and its surrounding areas would remain unaffected by planned refurbishments.

As a result, UEFA has reopened the bidding process to find a new venue for the prestigious final, with the decision expected to be finalized by May or June 2025.

This development comes after AC Milan and Inter Milan, both of whom call San Siro their home ground, turned down a recent proposal to modernize and renovate the stadium, which is owned by the city of Milan.

Milan’s Mayor, Giuseppe Sala, mentioned that the clubs are considering reviving their earlier plans for a new stadium near San Siro, which had been shelved due to political and bureaucratic challenges last year.

Earlier this year AC Milan bought land in the suburb of San Donato Milanese, to the south-east of the city, as part of a plan to move outside the official boundaries of the city of Milan in the hope they would more easily gain building approval.

Reigning Serie A champions Inter have their sights set on the towns of Rozzano and Assago, just south of Milan, after sounding out the possibility of building on former industrial land in populous northern suburb Sesto San Giovanni.

In 2026, San Siro will host the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.