AC Milan

AC Milan was founded in 1899. The club wasted little time in winning its first league title, the 1901 Italian Football Championship, in just its second season. Championship seasons in 1906 and 1907 quickly followed.

In 1908, the club split in two after internal disagreements on signing foreign players, and F.C. Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) was formed. After the split, AC Milan would not lift another team trophy until they returned to the top of Italian football in the 1950s, winning five titles in a span of 12 seasons.

In 1980, AC Milan was involved in the Totonero scandal and relegated to Serie B for the first time since Serie A was formed in 1929-30. It was found that 13 total clubs across Serie A and B accepted money from two Roman shopkeepers to fix matches.

They were back up in Serie A the next season, but relegated once again due to their poor finish in 1981-82. A second Serie B title earned them a trip back into the top tier, where they have stayed ever since.

The greatest stretch of success came by winning three consecutive Serie A titles between 1992 and 1994, and accumulating a 58-match unbeaten streak in league contests.

In addition to their European trophies, AC Milan have found a lot of success domestically in winning 19 Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia five times, and the Supercoppa seven times. Last year they made the semifinals of the Champions League but lost to their cross-town rivals, Inter Milan.

Not only do they share the city of Milan, but AC Milan and Inter also share a stadium and an intense rivalry on the field. Their yearly matchups are called the Derby della Madonnina. The name refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose statue is one of the city’s main attractions.

Historically, AC Milan were supported by the city’s working class and Inter Milan were mainly supported by the elite. However, the class differences have long since faded away, and you will not encounter hostilities among their supporters as are often evident at the top rivalry matches in England.

Here is a look at what the atmosphere is like for the annual derby:

The women’s team also plays in Serie A. Learn more about AC Milan Women here.

Coming soon!

Both AC Milan and Inter Milan call San Siro, officially known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, their home ground. The venue has a capacity of 75,923 making it the largest stadium in Italy.

Opened in 1926, the stadium has hosted games at both the 1934 and 1990 World Cups, three Champions League/European Cup finals, and will host the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The stadium has seen numerous renovations throughout its history, the latest occurring in 2015-16.

In 2019, both AC Milan and Inter Milan announced their intention to build a new stadium to replace San Siro. The proposed 60,000-seat stadium will sit next to the current stadium, and is projected to be open for competition after the 2026 Winter Olympics.

TOURS: You can book a tour of San Siro on the stadium website.

GETTING THERE: You can find directions to San Siro here. The subway station right next to the stadium is convenient, but trains are insanely crowded, and getting out of there postgame is a hassle. Take the tram instead; it’s above-ground, so more pleasant, plus you get to see the city on the way, and you’ll pass plenty of places to eat along the way.

PUBS & GRUB: There isn’t a lot around the stadium, other than a cluster of places across from the south end of the stadium. There will also be the usual food trucks around. But you’re in Milan, so there a million better places to eat.

AROUND TOWN: Located in northern Italy, Milan is the second-most populated city in Italy behind Rome. It is a global powerhouse, with a huge economic infrastructure which spans from finance and trade as it is the home to Italy’s stock exchange and headquarters to numerous national and international banks.

Milan has been recognized as one of the world’s four fashion capitals – along with London, New York and Paris – thanks to many international events and fairs including Milan Fashion Week. The city hosted the Universal Exposition in 2015.

Many tourists are attracted to Milan’s museums and art galleries, which include the major works of Leonardo da Vinci.

Milan will host the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Here we’ll turn to our favorite tour guide, Rick Steves, to give you a tour of Milan: