After weeks of speculation, we have now seen formal steps on the construction of AC Milan's new facility. The media on the Apennine Peninsula are unanimous in reporting what location has finally been chosen.

The saga surrounding the creation of Nuovo Stadio Milano has been ongoing for several years now. We ourselves have reported on all the major issues surrounding this investment over the past year. Recently, we wrote about the meetings between the Milan authorities and the club's owners and the search for an agreement between the two parties. However, it seems that RedBird Capital Partners – the consortium that owns almost 100% of the Rossoneri's shares – has decided not to drag things out any further and to implement a fallback option. This means that the stadium will be built outside the administrative borders of the Lombardian capital.

© The Hausmeister's Groundhopping

Early spring 2023, there was speculation that the facility could be built in Sesto San Giovanni. The town adjacent to Milan lies 10 km north of its centre. A huge effort to interest the club authorities in this locality was made by its mayor, Roberto Di Stefano. He has guaranteed to help pass suitable development plans, as well as to obtain preferential rates regarding property tax. Although the Sesto San Giovanni option is reportedly not completely closed, RedBird Capital Partners has decided to sign a preliminary agreement with SportLifeCity – the owner of the land located in the village of San Donato Milanese, 13 km south-east of the agglomeration centre.

As it turns out, however, the agreement reached is not exclusive and ultimately binding. It mainly concerns the building permits for the stadium. This was confirmed by the town's mayor Francesco Squeri. Why did the Rossoneri authorities decide on this option? It was for reasons such as excellent rail links, including the metro, the proximity of Milan Linate airport and the motorway junction where the A1 and A51 Italian motorways intersect. The arena would be located in its immediate vicinity. This would generate thousands of daily visitors and, as a result, attract title sponsorship interests.

The concept of Nuovo Stadio Milano will certainly not change radically. The capacity is still expected to be 60,000. It will have a club museum and commercial buildings such as shops and an entertainment venue. However, the entire complex cannot be larger than 180,000 m2. This is a regulation included in the overseas law. This means, among other things, that the Milanello sports and training centre included in the La Maura project will not be built on the site of the new stadium. Later in June, those on behalf of RedBird Capital Partners are to attend a session of the San Donato city council, where, together with mayor Francesco Squeri, they are expected to convince the councillors of their concept. Once approved, nothing should stand in the way of Milan's new home arena standing on this very spot.

© Populous / Nuovo Stadio Milano