According to what is reported by the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the AC Milan club is increasingly determined to choose the San Francesco area (in the Milanese hinterland, southeast of the city center) for its new stadium, a top priority for RedBird, led by Gerry Cardinale.
For months, AC Milan has been evaluating different options, and in recent weeks, it has narrowed down the choices to Sesto San Giovanni and San Donato. The latter is currently the favorite because AC Milan is considering building the stadium there, which the club would like to inaugurate in 2028 or 2029, coinciding with its 130th anniversary.
It would be the city's gateway, the first major building seen by those arriving in Milan by car from the south. Among the reasons that led to San Donato surpassing Sesto San Giovanni are the fast timelines. While it may not be the most beautiful area, it is the one where AC Milan could start construction earlier. The economic aspect, of course, is also significant. AC Milan is in negotiations with the owners of the area, which presents an advantage.
The stadium would be located between the A1 motorway and the exit leading to the eastern ring road, two major traffic arteries in the city. Similar to what happens in Munich with the Allianz Arena, which is built just a few meters from the highway. This is a relevant detail for naming rights, sponsorship associated with the name.
The Allianz Arena in Munich is seen by millions of motorists each month, while the one in Turin (home of Juventus) is not visible during the week except by residents. This can have a significant impact on the value of sponsorship. In San Donato, there would be direct access from the ring road, and the stadium could also be reached by subway and railway, although there would be higher development costs. However, the advantages evidently outweigh the disadvantages, to the point that there are already three ongoing projects being evaluated.
