The future of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is dividing Como, with residents warning about threats to the historic district and lakefront while city officials and Como 1907 push for a rapid UEFA-compliant redevelopment.

Debate on city's future

On May 4, a high-profile meeting titled The Sinigaglia We Want was held at the Municipal Library in Como. The event attracted large crowds, including concerned residents and club fans seeking common ground. The debate was organized by the Citizens' Committee for the Protection of the Stadium Area in Como. This entity was formed in the spring of 2025 as a spontaneous, non-partisan, and independent organization, composed of citizens united by the desire to defend one of the places that most identify the city: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia area and its view of the lake.

The speakers' main message was not complete opposition to the reconstruction of the sports facility, but a firm call for sustainable development and respect for public space. Architect Michele Pierpaoli aptly summarized this architectural and social dilemma. He explained to the attendees that it is not about whether the stadium is pretty or ugly, but about whether it improves the appearance of the city. Attention was also drawn to the unbalanced proportions of the project, which envisions a gigantic complex with 19,000 square meters of new hotel and commercial space, while offering barely a few hundred new seats for fans.

Legal and urban issues

The vision of a massive investment in the heart of the city raises legitimate concerns about the inefficiency of road infrastructure and a radical increase in traffic. Another flashpoint is the planned closure and demolition of the nearby Corridoni school to make way for a multi-level parking lot for fans. This idea met with categorical opposition from Simone Molteni, president of the local Comprehensive Institute. He noted that the building is still teeming with life and the facility remains full of students, meaning the opposing side's arguments are completely off the mark.

© Como 1907 | Como is deeply divided over the future of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia as residents take legal action against a redevelopment project they fear could damage the city’s historic lakeside identity.

Due to the lack of open dialogue and the omission of critical remarks from external consultants in assessing the economic and financial plan, the matter ultimately went to court. In February 2026, the Committee, supported by lawyer Veronica Dini, filed an official appeal to the Administrative Court. During the meeting, the lawyer emphasized that blindly processing documentation and concealing the imbalance between public and private benefits constitutes a serious violation. Activists unanimously stress that their goal is to prevent the creation of a potential architectural monstrosity.

Mayor's firm reaction

The committee's doubts were met with extremely harsh criticism from city authorities, who did not mince words. Mayor Alessandro Rapinese addressed the allegations during the television program Esport Como, fiercely defending the municipality's transparency. The mayor accused the organizers of the public debate of spreading falsehoods and creating artificial problems around the early planning stages. I noticed signs of frustration in them. They are criticizing something that doesn't exist yet—the new stadium project hasn't even been submitted. It is pure frustration, let's say it straight, he stated unequivocally.

At the same time, the local government is intensively preparing to adapt the current facility to strict UEFA requirements. A rapid operational plan involves removing the old tubular stands and installing safer concrete structures right after the musical events scheduled for early June. There is no way Como advances to the European cups and doesn't play the first match of these competitions here: that would be unforgivable for me... the mayor declared.

© Populous | Tensions are rising in Como as local residents clash with city officials over plans to modernize Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia to meet UEFA standards.

Citizens' response and appeal

Community activists did not back down and quickly issued a statement in response to the mayor's media attack, in which they were accused of being spineless hypocrites. The civic group admitted with bitter irony: Rapinese is partially right: we feel frustrated. They immediately explained that this growing frustration stems directly from the constant disregard for residents' voices, the lack of public consultations, and the concealment of inconvenient facts regarding the investment's profitability for the city coffers.

The activists called on the local administration to return to a substantive discussion, reminding them that they represent the collective interest of over 1,600 petition signatories. The committee still believes that, with goodwill from both sides, it is possible to create a modern stadium that will thrill fans and bring profits to the investor, without devastating the historic district. For now, residents simply expect the declassification of documents from the August conference and a halt to hasty administrative decisions.