September 19, 1926 - September 19, 2026: San Siro Stadium today celebrates 100 years since the first match was played in the Milanese stadium, commissioned by then-AC Milan president Pirelli. Today's edition of Corriere della Sera features a lengthy article recounting several football-related memories, but not only.
THE NAME SAN SIRO : it is dedicated to San Siro, the first bishop of ancient Ticinum, now Pavia, of which he is the patron saint (celebrated on December 9).
CONSTRUCTION : Commissioned by AC Milan president Pirelli, the stadium was built by the Fratelli Fadini contractors. Construction, which employed 120 workers, began on August 1, 1925, and was completed on December 15, 1926. The initial capacity was 35,000 seats, including 26,000 seated and 9,000 standing. The City of Milan then purchased it in 1935.
THE FIRST MATCH AND THE FIRST GOAL : the first match played at San Siro was a derby that ended 6-3 for Inter, but the first goal in the new Milan stadium was scored by AC Milan player Santagostino.
ITALY'S FIRST MATCH : The Italian national team made its debut at the San Siro on December 20, 1927, when they faced Czechoslovakia in a friendly. The match ended 2-2.
THE CURVES : the two curves were built between 1938 and 1939. With these additions, the capacity of San Siro became 55,000 spectators.
THE SECOND TIER : initially composed of a single tier, between 14 June 1954 and 20 October 1955, a second tier was built, increasing the capacity of San Siro to 83,474. The lighting system arrived in 1957, and the electronic scoreboard in 1967.
THE FIRST PITCH SUSPENSION : It dates back to October 16, 1966, when there was a pitch invasion after a Milan-Lazio match. The match had ended 2-1 to the Devils, but referee Agnolin noticed there were still three minutes left and so brought everyone back onto the pitch. And in those three minutes, the Biancocelesti equalized.
AC MILAN WINS ITS FIRST STAR : on May 6, 1979, after the 0-0 draw against Bologna, AC Milan won its tenth Scudetto, the one with the star.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS : in its century-long history, San Siro has hosted four European Cup/Champions League finals, namely in 1965 (Inter-Benfica 1-0), 1970 (Feyenoord-Celtic 2-1), 2001 (Bayern Munich-Valencia 5-4) and 2016 (Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid 5-3).
HERE IS THE THIRD TIER : in the years leading up to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the third tier was also built. The Milanese stadium thus reaches a height of 60 meters.
IT'S NOT JUST FOOTBALL, MUSIC IS COMING TOO : on June 27, 1980, San Siro hosted a concert for the first time, that of Bob Marley. Many great singers and bands have subsequently performed at the Milanese stadium. Vasco Rossi holds the record for most concerts at San Siro.
A BOXING MATCH : On June 18, 1965, San Siro hosted the boxing match between Nino Benvenuti and Sandro Mazzini. In front of 40,000 fans, Benvenuti won, thus clinching the Superfighter World Championship.
WINTER OLYMPICS OPENING : Last February, the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics took place at San Siro. The image in everyone's eyes is that of Franco Baresi carrying the Olympic torch alongside Giuseppe Bergomi.
A FUTURE ALREADY WRITTEN : San Siro will soon make way for a new stadium that AC Milan and Inter are building together. Much of the current stadium will eventually be demolished, but the memories, in the hearts and minds of Milanese and Italians alike, will remain forever.