UEFA Reopens Bidding for 2027 Champions League Final After Stripping Milan’s San Siro

UEFA has reopened the bidding process for stadiums to host the 2027 Champions League final after the San Siro in Milan was stripped of the event. The iconic Italian venue was originally selected to stage the prestigious match, but uncertainty around redevelopment plans for the stadium led UEFA to reconsider its decision.

Officials from AC Milan and Inter Milan, who both use the San Siro, are contemplating the construction of a new stadium in the area, which further complicated the original plan to hold the final there. As a result, UEFA opted to search for an alternative host. The new venue for the 2027 final is expected to be announced by May or June 2025.

The decision came during a UEFA Executive Committee meeting, where they also addressed changes to the organisation’s solidarity funding for non-participating European clubs. Solidarity payments for the “big five” leagues—Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, and Bundesliga—were capped at €10 million per season until the end of the 2026-27 cycle. This marks a €1.5 million increase from the previous cycle, with a total of €308 million available for distribution across clubs not competing in European tournaments. UEFA emphasized that these funds aim to promote competitive balance within top domestic leagues.

Additionally, UEFA’s women’s football strategy for 2024 to 2030 was approved during the meeting, though specific details of the plan have yet to be released.