6 days ago
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AC Milan have spent €55 million on the San Donato project and so far, they have nothing to show for it, almost a year after abandoning it.
In February 2024, Milan made the purchase of the area of land in San Donato, via the Sportlifecity company, for around €40 million, intending to build a stadium on the land. However, things just never took off as was hoped.
Just weeks after that decision, Gerry Cardinale admitted that he was ‘very satisfied’ with the plans to move and leave San Siro, but things quickly slowed. In fact, by September, there were considerations about staying put with renovations and a month later, the project was effectively dead.
San Donato Stadium?
Initial estimates suggested that the Rossoneri would be spending almost €1.3 billion on the new project, which would include the stadium costs, a museum, a team store, as well as a real estate sector and other external costs.
The idea, on paper, seemed ideal, and there were repeated pushes from the club to go ahead with the move. In fact, a ‘San Donato clause’ was even suggested to be inserted into the new deal for San Siro, though it was quickly rejected.
As 2025 rolled around, the project went quiet, and the project was effectively abadoned in Janury 2025, less than a year after the land was bought.
San Donato area?
Since then, many ideas have floated about. After all, with the investment into the land already, there is potential with it. At first a ‘new Milanello’ was suggested, with a new sports centre being seen as a new option.
In fact, there had been visits from the club’s management to Real Madrid’s ‘Valdebebas’ facility, and inspiration was reportedly drawn. This was, as one may expect, not the only idea put forward though.
A commerical area, at one point, was a new candidate for what to do with the land, but again, nothing went too far, nor did the idea of having a mini sports arena; an 18,000 seater stadium, which would ‘provide a satisfactory return on the investments made.’
San Donato Youth Centre?
The latest idea was reported this morning, with the San Donato project ‘officially’ placed on hold. Investment into the land for a 70,000 seat arena completely postponed, with the San Siro project going full steam ahead.
Though, another idea has taken its place. Now, the suggestions are for a youth academy to be built inside of a ‘citadel’ type area, which would also include several other facilities, perhaps tying back to the commercial area idea, or even a real estate project.
San Donato.
Almost two years on from Milan purchasing the San Donato land, we are still, really, without answers, and it seems there is not really a concrete plan. Of course, there are bigger fish to fry currently, and the stadium has to be the number one priority.
In terms of what happens next, there is not really a set plan. However, sitting on the land and waiting for an opportunity may also not be a bad thing. After all, there is no rush to get something built like there was with the stadium.
Is it a failed investment? No. Could the planning have been better? Probably. We’ll just have to see what happens next…
English (US) ·