AC Milan Owner Plans 20,000-Seat Arena for NBA Europe

AC Milan, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird Capital Partners and NBA Europe
30 October 2026

AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has revealed plans for a 20,000-seat indoor arena in San Donato Milanese, with ambitions to establish a Milan basketball franchise in NBA Europe.

Cardinale said the arena project would use land previously associated with AC Milan’s abandoned stadium plans in San Donato. He wants RedBird to participate in NBA Europe’s proposed competition while expanding the group’s investments in sports infrastructure. No construction timetable, franchise approval or final financing arrangement was confirmed in the supplied reports.

Why It Matters

The proposed arena could expand Milan's sports business beyond football into European basketball.