Italy's iconic San Siro stadium looks set to miss out on hosting the 2027 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final with Serie A soccer clubs Inter Milan and AC Milan, who share the venue, planning to renovate the ground.
The 80,000-seat stadium was provisionally awarded hosting rights for the final of European soccer’s elite club competition with governing body UEFA seeking more information on refurbishment plans.
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Inter and AC Milan have been working on separate stadium projects, but Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala is keen to keep the clubs at San Siro and believes they can be persuaded through a plan to renovate the ground.
The ownership of the stadium would also eventually pass on to the two clubs.
However, this potential refurbishment project could now cost San Siro the hosting rights of the 2027 UCL final, according to Tuttosport.
The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) has reportedly written to the Milan council to ask for a guarantee that there won't be any construction work in progress at the stadium in May 2027.
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By GlobalDataThe local authority is expected to respond in the coming days, but the FIGC is not hopeful of a positive answer.
Such a guarantee would see the renovation of San Siro delayed for another three years.
San Siro has been vying to host the UCL final for the third time having already staged the showpiece match in 2001 and 2016.
The UEFA Executive Committee will make its ultimate decision on the 2027 final host on September 24.
Budapest has already been confirmed as the host city for the first time in 2026, while the final of this season’s competition will be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Meanwhile, Inter have today unveiled blockchain cryptocurrency firm BlockDAG as a new sponsor.
The deal represents the Serie A champions’ first-ever collaboration with a blockchain technology partner.
Through the tie-up, BlockDAG will serve as Inter’s official blockchain partner and receive prominent LED and big-screen advertising at the club’s home games.
The agreement also includes digital content, social media posts on Inter’s digital channels, and a series of targeted campaigns.
Antony Turner, chief executive of BlockDAG, said: “Teaming up with Inter is a significant milestone for BlockDAG. This collaboration not only elevates our brand but also positions us at the forefront of blockchain adoption in mainstream sports.”
The deal with Inter is BlockDAG’s second soccer sponsorship announced this week after also teaming up with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
The partnership with the Bundesliga side has a reported value of $10 million (the most for a cryptocurrency sponsorship in Germany) and will run through the end of the 2026-27 season.
