Italy is preparing to add a new grass‑court tournament to its tennis calendar, with a 250‑level ATP event slated to debut in Milan in 2028. The competition, designed as a preparatory stop for players heading to Wimbledon, could be staged in the iconic San Siro stadium, the home of football giants AC Milan and Inter Milan. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation secured the rights to the tournament after acquiring the slot previously occupied by a Brussels‑based ATP 250 event that takes place in October, federation president Angelo Binaghi announced.
The new tournament will be held each June, aligning perfectly with the traditional grass‑court season that leads up to the Championships at the All England Club. San Siro, with its massive 75,000‑plus seating capacity, offers a dramatic backdrop that could attract both tennis enthusiasts and football fans, creating a unique atmosphere rarely seen in the sport.
While the exact venue has not been finalized, Binaghi indicated that the decision will be made in the coming months, noting that climatic considerations make northern Italy the most sensible choice for a grass surface. "There's still time to decide where to play it," Binaghi said. "For climate reasons, it will probably be held in northern Italy." He also referenced a recent innovation at the Madrid Open, where practice courts have been installed inside the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, suggesting that using a football arena for tennis is no longer an unprecedented experiment.
"For once, we wouldn't be the first to do it," Binaghi added, underscoring the growing trend of multi‑purpose stadiums. Italy already has a modest history with grass‑court events.
From 2022 to 2024 the country hosted a WTA tournament on grass in the small town of Gaiba, giving Italian fans a taste of the surface. The new ATP event would build on that experience, offering male players a high‑profile opportunity to fine‑tune their games before heading to London.
The federation’s ambitions extend beyond a single tournament. Italy currently hosts the ATP Finals in Turin through 2030, and the Davis Cup Finals will be staged in Bologna until next year. Additionally, the prestigious Rome Masters continues to draw the world’s best on clay in the weeks leading up to the French Open.
In this context, the San Siro grass event represents a strategic move to diversify Italy’s tennis portfolio across all three major surfaces. Infrastructure upgrades are already in the pipeline to support the new event. Work on a retractable roof for the Campo Centrale at the Foro Italico is set to commence immediately after this year’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia, with completion targeted for the 2028 edition.
A roof would allow matches to proceed regardless of weather, an essential feature for a grass‑court tournament where rain can be particularly disruptive. Binaghi also voiced a bold vision: to elevate the Rome Masters to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, joining the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open as one of the sport’s premier tournaments.
He believes that a strong showing in Rome, combined with the new Milan event, could position Italy as a major hub for elite tennis. Italian star Jannik Sinner, who has already made waves on the ATP Tour, is targeting a historic achievement. He hopes to become the first Italian man to win the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta lifted the trophy five decades ago. Sinner’s ambition adds a compelling narrative to the upcoming season and could draw even greater attention to the new Milan competition.
Fans will have multiple ways to follow the action. Live coverage is expected on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, promising more than 50 percent additional live sport content at no extra charge for subscribers. The federation also plans to promote the event through various digital channels, ensuring that both domestic and international audiences can engage with the tournament. In summary, the proposed San Siro grass‑court event marks a significant step for Italian tennis, blending the country’s rich football heritage with the elegance of grass‑court play.
By leveraging a world‑class stadium, upgrading facilities, and aligning with broader strategic goals, Italy aims to create a marquee stop on the ATP Tour that will serve both players seeking Wimbledon preparation and fans eager for high‑quality tennis in a spectacular setting.