Anticipated for so long, discussed for months and now it’s here. Like it or not, it is stunning! The new stadium will stand out, though for passers-by may be hard to notice at all.

The concept developed by joint teams of Italian and international specialists (Politecnico di Milano, Arup) envisages building AC Milan’s stadium within a multi-use complex. The stadium itself will be completely surrounded by secondary functions and with the use of sound-proof materials should not disrupt local residents’ lives even on event days.

Emilio Faroldi, Professor of Architectural Technology at the Polytechnic of Milan, spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport: "We approached the project developing the basic themes of this work: we’re talking about environmental sustainability, the concept of a smart urban arena that is easily reached by public transport, and with low impact on surroundings. A stadium, also, that identifies itself more like a building, like a piece of the city and not as a business machine to be activated exclusively for a sporting event once a week ".

Though equipped with retractable roof and despite its 48,000 capacity, the building should rise only to 30 meters above ground. This was made possible by the use of sunken lower tier, which will be entirely located under ground level.

The stadium’s difficult location on Fiera Milano’s fairgrounds proved impossible to use standard north-south axis. The building will thus be rotated and closer to the east-west axis.

Implementation is now dependent on local authorities. Should plans go on as hoped by the club, opening might take place as early as in 2018. The project is budgeted at €300-320 million.