AC Milan and Inter close to taking over San Siro
AC Milan and Inter Milan have submitted an economic-financial plan, known as the “Docfap” (Document on Alternative Development Projects for the San Siro area), outlining their proposal to build a new stadium and take ownership of the current San Siro site. The clubs plan to construct a 71,500-seat stadium, with 13,000 seats dedicated to VIP and hospitality areas. The total investment is expected to exceed €1 billion, covering stadium construction, the purchase of the San Siro site, and partial redevelopment of the existing Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.
As part of the project, sections of the current stadium will be preserved, including parts of the Curva Sud and the orange stand near the former Ippodromo del Trotto racetrack. The new stadium is set to be built on the existing parking lot and part of the park, with the partial demolition of the Meazza occurring only after the new venue is completed. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, following the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with completion expected by 2030.
The Italian Revenue Agency has valued the San Siro site at €197 million, though the exact offer from the clubs has not been disclosed. The city of Milan is eager to finalise the transaction before summer to prevent the stadium’s second ring, which will reach its 70th anniversary in the autumn, from being designated as a protected historical monument.
Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has stated that after reviewing the plan, the city will launch a public tender lasting between 30 and 45 days, ensuring that the site remains designated for football use. He has also confirmed that no modifications to the San Siro will take place before the Olympic opening ceremony on 6 February 2026. After the Olympics, the clubs will commence construction of the new stadium adjacent to the existing one, with the Meazza expected to remain in use in its current form until 2030.
SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball stadium set for redevelopment
The Donaustadion, home to SSV Ulm 1846, is set to undergo redevelopment following an agreement between the 2. Bundesliga club and the city of Ulm. The project, estimated to cost between €25 million and €30 million, aims to maintain the stadium as a multi-purpose venue that will also accommodate athletics and school sports.
The redevelopment will take place in phases. The north stand will be demolished and replaced with a new, covered stand featuring significantly more seating at the start of the 2026-27 season. This will be followed by the demolition and reconstruction of the south stand. Additionally, the main stand’s functional spaces will be modernised to meet contemporary standards. These upgrades are designed to help SSV Ulm strengthen their position in the 2. Bundesliga after securing promotion from the 3. Liga last season.
SSV Ulm has emphasised the urgent need for improvements, including a new functional area at the north entrance, additional sanitary facilities, and other infrastructure upgrades. The club is also seeking corporate interest in acquiring the stadium’s naming rights. Moreover, SSV Ulm plans to develop a concept for a potential new stadium and collaborate with the city to identify a suitable location, with the club expected to cover investment and operational costs.
A city council meeting is scheduled for 19 March to discuss the project’s funding.
Manchester City to Expand Etihad Stadium and Open Luxury Hotel by 2026
Manchester City is advancing plans to expand the Etihad Stadium’s capacity to over 60,000 seats by January 2026. The project includes the addition of 3,000 standing places in the upper tier of the North Stand, aiming to enhance the matchday atmosphere. Ed Dalton, the club’s Head of Infrastructure Development, highlighted the significant progress and the anticipated electrifying environment these changes will bring.
In addition to the stadium expansion, a 401-room hotel named The Medlock is under construction, with operations to be managed by Radisson. Scheduled to open in late 2026, The Medlock will offer luxury suites, deluxe and standard rooms, and an exclusive penthouse, positioning it among the largest hotels in the region. Guests will have access to various restaurants and bars, a stadium rooftop walk, and tours of the new Manchester City Museum. The development also encompasses office spaces, a conference zone, and event areas, further enhancing the stadium’s appeal and strengthening its partnership with the nearby Co-Op Live entertainment venue.
GSES Platform Launches DORA Compliance Assessment & Verification for Digital Resilience
The Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) Platform has announced the launch of its Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) Assessment & Verification feature, aiming to assist organizations in evaluating and enhancing their compliance with the new EU regulations focused on digital resilience within the financial sector.
Key Features of GSES’s DORA Assessment & Verification:
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Comprehensive Compliance Evaluation: The platform enables organizations to assess their adherence to DORA regulations, ensuring that all aspects of digital operational resilience are thoroughly examined.
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Enhanced Risk Management: By identifying potential vulnerabilities, the assessment aids in strengthening digital resilience and implementing effective risk management strategies.
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Independent Verification: Organizations can obtain independent verification through GSES’s audit network, adding credibility to their compliance efforts.
The introduction of this feature underscores GSES’s commitment to supporting organizations in navigating the complexities of DORA compliance, thereby promoting a more resilient and secure financial sector.
Kasper Albers Named Sustainability Pioneer 2025
Kasper Albers, CEO and co-founder of Borro, has been honoured as a Sustainability Pioneer 2025. Borro offers a system that reduces waste and promotes reuse by simplifying the process of returning reusable cups at events. Utilising invisible QR codes on cups and smart return systems, attendees can easily reclaim their deposits without the need for physical tokens or manual procedures. This innovation facilitates the transition from a linear to a circular economy.
The Sustainability Pioneer 2025 award is part of the Sustainability Professional awards, organised by Time4Society and the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (VBO FEB). These awards recognise individuals who play a strategic and indispensable role within their organisations by motivating, inspiring, or implementing sustainability initiatives. The Sustainability Pioneer title specifically acknowledges newcomers in the field who have realised impactful and inspirational projects or best practices over the past year.
This year, the jury selected two Sustainability Pioneers in the Dutch-speaking category: Kasper Albers of Borro and Brecht Herteleer of (on)kruid. Their recognition underscores their significant contributions to promoting sustainability and inspiring change within their respective sectors.
UK to submit bid for 2035 Women’s World Cup
The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have confirmed their intention to submit a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This decision aligns with FIFA’s recommendation that the tournament be held in either Europe or Africa.
The UK has never hosted the Women’s World Cup, although England successfully staged and won the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022. The joint bid seeks to build on that success and further promote the development of women’s football across the UK.
The bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with FIFA expected to announce the host nations in the second quarter of 2026.
Mark Bullingham, Chief Executive of the English FA, has expressed confidence in the UK’s ability to organise a successful tournament, citing the rapid growth of women’s football following the 2022 Euros.
The UK government is backing the bid, recognising the potential economic and social benefits of hosting the event, as well as the opportunity to inspire future generations of female footballers.
If successful, this would be the first time the Women’s World Cup is held in the UK, showcasing the nation’s commitment to advancing women’s football on the global stage.
FC Barcelona Denies Reports of November Return to Camp Nou
FC Barcelona has refuted recent reports suggesting a potential return to Spotify Camp Nou in November 2025. The club maintains its objective to play at least one match in the renovated stadium before the conclusion of the current season. To facilitate this, Barça is awaiting approval from Barcelona’s City Council to permit continuous construction work—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Concurrently, negotiations are underway with Barcelona Serveis Municipals (BSM) to extend the team’s use of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until 20 May, providing an alternative venue should Camp Nou remain unavailable. While the club aspires to host the LaLiga El Clásico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on 11 May, this scenario appears increasingly unlikely as time progresses.
The renovation plan allows for the third tier of the stadium to be completed post-return, and the club has consistently communicated this timeline. Additionally, FC Barcelona has initiated consultations to revamp the ‘grada de animación’ (supporter section) to align with modern regulations and attract younger fans. Vice President for Institutional Affairs, Elena Fort, emphasized the importance of input from members aged 18 to 30 in this process.
The club remains committed to transparent communication with stakeholders, including service providers and residents of the Les Corts district, to keep them informed about the progress of the Camp Nou reconstruction.
Brighton & Hove Albion to Open Premier League’s Largest Fan Zone at Amex Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion has announced the opening of the Heineken Fan Zone, named “The Terrace,” scheduled for 1 April 2025, coinciding with their home match against Aston Villa at the American Express Stadium (Amex). This development is part of a £40 million investment aimed at enhancing the matchday experience for supporters.
The Terrace is a multi-storey sports bar adjacent to the stadium, capable of accommodating up to 3,000 fans, making it the largest fan zone in the Premier League. Inside, supporters will find four distinct food outlets and numerous screens displaying match data and live broadcasts. The mezzanine level will feature the exclusive American Express Clubhouse.
On matchdays, The Terrace will host concerts and special guest appearances to enrich the pre- and post-match atmosphere. Beyond matchdays, its cafes and restaurants will operate year-round, offering various events and private functions.
This fan zone is the centrepiece of a broader enhancement project at the Amex, which also includes the addition of 624 new seats, the introduction of safe standing sections, and the creation of new commercial spaces. These initiatives aim to attract fans to the stadium well before kick-off and encourage them to stay after the final whistle, thereby boosting the club’s revenue streams.
The investment aligns with Brighton & Hove Albion’s recent financial success, as the club reported £73 million in profits for the 2023/24 season.
Everton’s New Stadium Test Event Uncovers Transport and Parking Challenges
The inaugural test event at Everton’s new stadium, hosting 10,000 spectators for an under-18 match between Everton and Wigan Athletic, exposed significant organisational challenges, particularly concerning transportation and parking.
Post-match, fans experienced considerable delays at Sandhills station, the primary rail access point to the stadium. Supporters reported waiting over 40 minutes in overcrowded conditions, raising concerns about the station’s capacity to handle larger crowds when the stadium reaches its full capacity of 53,000.
In response, the Everton Fans’ Forum issued an open letter to Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, labelling the situation at Sandhills station as “dangerously overcrowded” and urging immediate action. The club has since convened a meeting with city authorities, transport providers, and fan representatives to address these issues.
Additionally, the introduction of an Experimental Parking Zone by Liverpool City Council on the day of the test match has drawn criticism. These restrictions limit parking near the stadium, affecting approximately 3,000 local businesses that now require special permits. Business owners have called for the regulations to apply solely on matchdays, citing concerns over economic impact.
The test event has highlighted the need for comprehensive planning and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure safe and efficient access to the stadium ahead of its full-capacity opening.
