Starting in 2028, a new grass-court ATP 250 tournament, serving as a Wimbledon warm-up event, is set to take place in Milan, Italy, with the iconic San Siro stadium being a potential venue. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired the rights to the tournament, previously held in Brussels. The event will be held annually in June, and while the exact location is yet to be determined, San Siro, with its capacity of over 75,000, is a strong contender due to its size and northern Italy's favorable climate.
Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi mentioned that the decision on the venue will be made in due time, citing climate reasons for preferring a location in northern Italy. The introduction of practice courts within stadiums, as seen with the Madrid Open at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, makes 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 until 2030, the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year, and the Rome Masters on clay before the French Open. Plans are also 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 Rome tournament to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, rivaling the likes of Indian Wells. Jannik Sinner is currently aiming to become the first Italian man to win the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta's victory 50 years ago.