San Siro Stadium was built in 1925 in the neighbourhood of the same name. It was brought about by the efforts of the then-president of A.C. Milan Piero Pirelli.
Designed by Ulisse Stacchini and Alberto Cugini as the official football pitch for A.C. Milan, it was tested for the first time in 1926, in a friendly match between A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, which Inter Milan won 6-3.
The building remained a property of AC Milan until 1935, when it was purchased by the City Hall: in 1947 it became Inter Milan’s home pitch as well. Inter Milan games had up to that point been played at the Arena Civica.

During its history, San Siro has been renovated many times and has received many additions: in 1939 the four straight bleachers were linked with the curved ones, creating a single ring capable of seating 55.000. In 1955, with the construction of the second ring, the seating capacity rose to 100.000, and on 25 April 1956, low-cost seating was installed in preparation for the match between Italy and Brazil, which Italy won (3-0). In 1980, the stadium was named after Giuseppe Meazza, who had starred both for Inter – the side he debuted for at 17 - and A.C. Milan.

In 1980, the San Siro stadium was named after Giuseppe Meazza, who had been a football star not only for Inter, for which he made his debut at 17, but for Milan as well.
 

In celebration of the World Cup in 1990, when the Meazza-San Siro stadium was chosen to host the inaugural match, architects Ragazzi and Hoffner planned the construction of a third, independent ring, supported by eleven huge external cylindrical towers, with a new lighting structure and a new pitch heating system. The Meazza took on its current form and now seats 80.000 people. 
“La Scala of football”, as it is sometimes called, has hosted World Cup matches and European Championship matches, as well as finals of the latter, and of course, numberless Italian League matches. Many artists and musicians, both Italian and international, have chosen the Meazza for their live concerts. 

DON'T MISS

San Siro Museum, an exciting journey through the historical events that made the Meazza stadium and all Italian football so great.

Don’t miss the chance to admire up close a selection of traditional jerseys from the two rival Milanese clubs, A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano. Also those of the Italian National teams that have made the history of football, the Italians’ favourite sport, including the Azzurri’s unforgettable matches in the 1982 and 2006 World Cups.

Lots of other strips worn by the great champions, both past and present, who played for the top Italian and foreign teams can also be admired.

You can also get a glimpse of the stadium’s behind-the-scenes secrets: step into the Inter and Milan changing rooms, go into the mixed zone and reach the access tunnel which opens onto the magical view of the hallowed San Siro turf, the biggest thrill for any football fan.

CURIOSITIES

San Siro, Stadio Meazza’s neighbourhood, gets its name from a small medieval village known for its church of San Siro alla Vepra and for having offered refuge to the Milanese after their city was destroyed by Frederick I (the German Emperor) in 1162.
In 1967, in order to dispel any doubts regarding a goal scored by Rivera in a derby match, instant replay was used for the first time at San Siro.