A new grass-court ATP 250 tournament, serving as a pre-Wimbledon event, is set to take place in Milan from 2028 onwards, with the iconic San Siro stadium being considered as a potential host. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired the rights to the tournament, which was previously held in Brussels. The event is scheduled to occur every June, starting in 2028, and San Siro, with its impressive capacity of over 75,000, is a strong contender to host it. Although no final decision has been made, the federation's president, Angelo Binaghi, hinted that the northern part of Italy would be the most suitable location due to climate reasons.
Binaghi also drew inspiration from the Madrid Open, which is introducing practice courts within Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting that San Siro could be an ideal choice. Italy has previously hosted a WTA grass-court tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024.
The federation is also set to host the ATP Finals in Turin until 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year, in addition to the Rome Masters on clay before the French Open. Furthermore, plans are underway to install a retractable roof at the Foro Italico's Campo Centrale, with construction expected to begin after this year's Internazionali BNL d'Italia and be completed in time for the 2028 edition.
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.