AC Milan could return to the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia next year, but this time to play a Serie A match.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is the possibility that Milan’s home game against Como could be played at the Optus Stadium a 60,000-seat facility usually used for Australian football, rugby and cricket. As a reminder, Milan played a post-season friendly there last May, against Roma.
Why the move appeals
It is the 24th round of the season, scheduled for the weekend of 7-8 February 2026, a date that coincides with another important event happening at San Siro: the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The Lega are moving forward with their aim to restore Serie A as a global brand, and Australia is calling. It is not the only option that has come forward, but the most concrete and certainly the richest.
The territory is attracted by Italian football and for Milan it would be more or less like playing at home, given the significant presence of Rossoneri fans. Milan, with CEO Giorgio Furlani – another director who is trying to grow the club and league around the world – are in favour.
Como could be too. The green light from FIGC, UEFA and FIFA is missing, to whom an official request has already been sent. The institutions in Perth will be given a definitive response by September 30. Sky are reporting the same as La Gazzetta.
We need fu*!¤ng points to be at the very top!
It’s an insanely important season.
Last thing we need are jetlagged players.
So disruptif. Of course Furlani gives the green light. No need for a new stadium in Milan, just play every home game in a different country. It would complete the transformation of Milan into a touring circus.
💯 Idiotic decision. Nevermind that it takes 20 hours to get there.
This is the most ridiculous idea ever. Instead of re-scheduling it or have it play at nearby stadiums, let’s go to other side of the world just for one match. Might as well go to the moon at this point.
This is such a horrible idea. How is it fair to either team in the league to give away their home advantage of having their fans behind them and who gets the costs of it?
Why don’t you try this on relegation battling teams first tk see if it’s a success or not.
Como? In Australia? Maldini’s Heir must have already booked his flight….just around the corner after all
You’ve got to look at this objectively. The teams must want to opt in to this arrangement for short term and long term reasons.
Clubs for years now have been doing these preseason/postseason tours all over the world but the games are generally meaningless & many of the best players can’t be involved.
For the places that host these games in North America & Asia, the Eldorado situation getting a real fixture that actually has something riding on it.
Hence the Suppercoppa in Saudi and now even bigger will be a Serie A fixture hosted outside of Italy.
This will be massive to whichever country gets the fixture.
I.e. they will pay A LOT OF $$ to get hold of this fixture.
Why Milan?
Well there is a San Siro issue where they need to find another home for this fixture. Opening the opportunity to do a real Serie A game internationally.
Australia has a big Italian community. They will spend a lot of money travelling domestically within the country to Perth.
Why Como?
They have cashed up Indonesian owners. Indonesia is close to Australia and easily accessible to Perth. A lot of air traffic between Perth & Bali.
Como will get support from Indonesians travelling to Perth and this will put them on a global stage.
Serie A is falling so far financially from the other big European leagues. Hence clubs will do things like this to try and bridge the gap financially.
From a sporting sense there would be easier options to take this game to somewhere like New York. But the USA is getting saturated with a CWC and then WC.
Going to somewhere like Qatar would be more convenient.
Travelling to anywhere in South East Asia will be just as long. Perth has a direct flight to Rome.
With Milan not having European commitments next season, they can fit this travel in without significant consequence IMO.
Disclaimer.
I am Australian and will travel to Perth if this happens!