UEFA, European football’s governing body, announced on Tuesday that Milan will not host the 2027 men’s Champions League final as initially planned. This decision comes in response to uncertainties surrounding the future of the iconic San Siro stadium.
In an official statement, UEFA explained that the Municipality of Milano could not provide assurances that the San Siro stadium and its surrounding areas would remain unaffected by potential refurbishment works during the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final. This lack of guarantee led to the withdrawal of Milan’s hosting rights for the prestigious event.
“As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan,” UEFA said in a statement.
UEFA added it was reopening “the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025.”
The San Siro, also known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, has been a cornerstone of Italian football for decades. AC Milan and Inter Milan have questioned the long-term future of the San Siro stadium.
Both clubs are actively exploring options for a new, modern venue. They seek alternatives that could better meet their future needs and ambitions.
This exploration has cast doubt on the San Siro’s role in the coming years. The two Milan giants are considering how a state-of-the-art stadium might enhance their competitiveness and financial prospects.
Following this development, UEFA has taken swift action. They reopened the bidding process to find a suitable alternative venue for the 2027 final. The organization expects to decide on the new host city and stadium in May or June 2025. This allows ample time for preparation.
It’s worth noting that the 2026 Champions League final will take place in Budapest, Hungary. Interestingly, Budapest and Milan were the only two candidates vying for the honour of hosting the finals in both 2026 and 2027.
This situation highlights the importance of UEFA in having certainty and stability when selecting venues for its flagship club competition. Indeed, the Champions League final is a global spectacle that demands a stadium and host city capable of meeting stringent criteria for capacity, facilities, and infrastructure.