Milan's San Siro Stadium May Host a Wimbledon Warm-Up Event Starting 2028

A new grass-court ATP 250 tournament, serving as a Wimbledon warm-up, is set to be hosted in Milan beginning in 2028, with the iconic San Siro stadium being considered as a potential venue. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired the rights to a 250-level ATP Tour event previously held in Brussels, as announced by federation president Angelo Binaghi. The tournament is slated to take place every June, starting in 2028, and while the San Siro, with its capacity of over 75,000, is a likely candidate, the final decision has yet to be made. Binaghi noted that the event will likely be held in northern Italy due to climate considerations. The introduction of practice courts within Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu for the Madrid Open has set a precedent, making the San Siro a viable option. Italy has previously hosted a grass-court WTA tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, the federation is set to host the ATP Finals in Turin through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year, alongside the Rome Masters on clay before the French Open. The federation also plans to start work on a retractable roof for the Campo Centrale at the Foro Italico, aiming for completion by the 2028 edition. Furthermore, Binaghi expressed his ambition to elevate the tournament in Rome to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, rivaling the likes of Indian Wells and joining the ranks of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open as one of the sport's most prestigious events.