Norman Foster designs the Duomo of Milanese football

An avant-garde silhouette that evokes the spiers of the Duomo in Milan: this will be the Generali Stadium, designed by the prestigious British architect Norman Foster, one of those responsible for the new stadium project that Inter and Milan will share from 2031 with capacity for 71,500 spectators.

The architectural proposal designed by his studio, Foster + Partners, in collaboration with MANICA, proposes a new stadium capable of transferring the spirit of the mythical Giuseppe Meazza, known as San Siro, which will be demolished, to a new era.

“Every great city is defined by places that become part of its identity. Inspired by the architectural heritage and design culture of Milan, the Generali Stadium was conceived to become one of those places,” both clubs reported.

“Monumental and Milanese”

Behind the project is one of the most prestigious and influential architects in the world, responsible for, among others, the dome of the Reichstag in Berlin, the Wembley stadium, airports such as those in Hong Kong and Beijing, the Collserola tower in Barcelona and the Bilbao Metro.

Winner of the Pritzker Prize, considered the ‘Nobel of architecture’ in 1999, and the Prince of Asturias Prize for the Arts in 2009, Foster was always impressed and influenced by the buildings of Milan, such as the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, La Scala and the Duomo.

“Monumental and Milanese.” This is how the Briton defined the new stadium in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, which will be built with a view to the 2031-2032 season with the aim of it also being one of the venues for the 2032 Euro Cup that Italy organizes together with Türkiye.

The project has the support of the owners of both entities, RedBird Capital Partners, in the case of Milan, and Oaktree, owner of Inter, who consider the new facility a strategic investment to reinforce the sporting competitiveness and growth possibilities of the two clubs.

A concrete framework inspired by the Duomo

The new stadium will have two levels of stands that will form a continuous 360-degree ring, with the aim of bringing spectators closer to the playing field.

The two curves, one of the most representative elements of the San Siro football environment, will have a special role, with stands of up to 37 degrees inclined.

The exterior structure will be marked by a concrete framework in the shape of successive Xs, inspired both by the tradition of Italian engineering and by the architectural elements of the Duomo, Milan’s cathedral.

The double-curved roof will complete the silhouette of the venue and will incorporate photovoltaic panels and solutions designed to optimize acoustics and reduce environmental impact.

The stadium will be named after Generali, an Italian insurance company that reached a sponsorship agreement for the naming rights.

The initiative is part of a 281,000 square meter urban regeneration project that will transform the surrounding land into a new district with green areas, public spaces, commercial establishments and leisure areas.