GdS: Capacity issue rages in stadium debate – the thoughts of Milan and Inter

SempreMilan

·4 October 2022

GdS: Capacity issue rages in stadium debate – the thoughts of Milan and Inter

Question marks have arisen over the capacity that the new San Siro stadium will have amid plans to cut the total number of seats.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) reports today that the new stadium is one Milan and Inter hope to inaugurate in the 2027-28 season but there is the feat that the Cathedral project will result in a capacity that is too small.

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Over 575,000 people have already passed through the turnstiles of the current San Siro this season to watch Milan, which is an average of 72,000 fans per game, with Inter just behind at 71,000. The current stadium with its 75,000 seats seems to be perfect for Milan and Inter fans.

That is why the idea of building a new stadium in Milan with a maximum of 60-65,000 seats seems like it could be a prohibitive move. When clubs abroad build new stadiums or renovate their current ones, the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri have chosen the opposite path by aiming to always fill the stadium and sell more executive tickets at higher prices, thereby increasing revenues.

Today 4% of the San Siro (3,000 or maximum 3,500 seats) are corporate, but that will become 9,000 basic (15%) at least and may even become 13,500 at the new stadium.

The clubs also do not want to exaggerate the building costs which are currently at €1.3bn. The plan at the moment is to build a two-tier stadium, and adding a third would cost at least €200m more.

Finally,, the ‘Cathedral’ will also be redesigned with respect to the original project from Populous, presented in 2019. The squared-shaped stadium with the big glass windows would now cost €800m alone, so the latest renderings suggest a more rounded design to cut costs.