Milan sports tour: from football icons to the new Ice Arena

Sport

Whether you’re visiting Milan for business, attending a major convention, or exploring the city’s world-class trade fairs, your post-fair downtime is the perfect opportunity to dive into the vibrant sports scene of the metropolis and its surroundings.

The Greater Milan area boasts a premier collection of venues, ranging from legendary stadiums and cutting-edge indoor arenas to iconic racetracks and scenic water sports parks.

Discovering these landmarks means experiencing the dynamic soul of a city that seamlessly blends sporting passion, groundbreaking architecture, and world-class entertainment.

Named in honor of football legend Giuseppe Meazza, Stadio San stands as one of the most celebrated football temples in the world, anchoring the city’s western district. Unveiled in 1926 and later enhanced by its signature cylindrical towers for the 1990 World Cup, it is the historic home of Milan's two football giants: AC Milan and FC Internazionale. The stadium is entirely dedicated to top-tier football, hosting thrilling Serie A clashes, UEFA Champions League showdowns, and Italian National Team fixtures, alongside legendary summer stadium concerts.

How to get there: Take metro line M5 (Purple) directly to the San Siro Stadio terminus, or take line M1 (Red) to Lotto and walk or hop on a local bus. By car or taxi, it’s just a 15-minute drive from the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center via the A4 highway or Tangenziale Ovest.

Located in Assago, just on the southwestern edge of Milan, the Unipol ranks among Europe’s largest and most versatile indoor arenas. It serves as the capital of Italian and European indoor basketball, acting as the storied home court of Olimpia Milano for their EuroLeague and Serie A campaigns. Beyond basketball, the Forum plays host to a diverse array of indoor sporting events, including professional tennis matches, figure skating exhibitions, gymnastics showcases, and world-class acrobatic performances.

How to get there: Hop on metro line M2 (Green) directly to the dedicated Assago Milanofiori Forum station. Drivers and taxi riders will find it right at the junction of the A7 Highway (Milan-Genoa) and the Tangenziale Ovest.

The Unipol Dome is a futuristic, multi-purpose arena nestled in the newly regenerated urban district of Milano Santa Giulia, in the city’s southeast. Engineered to meet the highest international standards of sustainability and design, this landmark venue was created to host major international ice sports events, such as high-stakes ice hockey matches and figure skating galas—alongside volleyball tournaments, tennis championships, and high-profile indoor competitions.

How to get there: Easily reachable via metro line M3 (Yellow) or the suburban rail network (Passante Ferroviario) by getting off at Milano Rogoredo station, just a short walk away. By car or taxi, access it via the Via Mecenate / Santa Giulia exit on the Tangenziale Est (A51).

Affectionately known to locals by its historic name, PalaLido, the Allianz Cloud is a central sports hub located near Piazzale Lotto. Reimagined with a striking, spaceship-like elliptical roof, it serves as the beating heart of Milanese volleyball, hosting home matches for Allianz Milano in SuperLega and the Vero Volley women's team. The arena is also the main stage for international padel stops, such as Premier Padel, and regularly hosts basketball tournaments, martial arts, and combat sports competitions.

How to get there: Located less than 300 meters from Lotto station (interchange for metro lines M1 Red and M5 Purple), and just a quick 5-minute taxi ride from the MiCo / Fiera Milano City congress hub.

The Milanosport - Velodromo Maspes-Vigorelli is a legendary shrine of world track cycling, originally built in the 1930s next to today’s sleek CityLife district. Its iconic Swedish pine wooden track has witnessed historic Hour Record attempts and triumphs by cycling royalty. Today, the venue continues to host track cycling alongside local American football games, rugby matches, and open-air athletic events.

How to get there: Take metro line M5 (Purple) to Tre Torri or Domodossola FN, or catch the suburban train to Milano Domodossola station. By car, it sits right next to Viale Scarampo and the CityLife thoroughfares.

The Fiera Ice Arena is a state-of-the-art, high-tech modular venue located right within the Fiera Milano - Porta Sud complex in Rho. Purpose-built to elevate winter sports, it acts as the home arena for Milano Hockey Club’s official championship matches, as well as competitive figure skating and speed skating events. It offers the ultimate convenience for visitors, seamlessly connected to the trade show halls.

How to get there: Take metro line M1 (Red) to the Rho Fiera terminus, or arrive via regional, suburban, or high-speed trains (Frecciarossa) stopping directly at the Rho Fiera Milano train station, just steps from the gates.

The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious permanent racetracks, immersed in the lush greenery of Monza Park, roughly 20 kilometers north of Milan. Universally revered as the "Temple of Speed," it hosts the annual Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, along with World Endurance Championship (WEC) legs, the GT World Challenge, and numerous historic motorcycling and motorsport events.

How to get there: Take a direct train from Milano Centrale or Porta Garibaldi to Monza station, then jump on a dedicated shuttle bus or local route straight into Monza Park. By car or taxi, it’s easily accessible via State Highway SS36 or the Tangenziale Nord (A52).

Parco Idroscalo Milano is an expansive artificial lake and multi-sport park located east of Milan, right next to Linate Airport. Originally built in the 1930s as a seaplane port, it has evolved into "Milan’s Riviera",an international hub for water sports. Visitors can experience rowing, canoeing, kayaking, dragon boat racing, water skiing, wakeboarding, open-water swimming, triathlon events, and rugby on adjacent fields.

How to get there: Take metro line M4 (Blue) to the Linate Aeroporto terminus and transfer to local bus connections (such as line 183 or routes from Segrate). By car or taxi, take Strada Rivoltana or the Tangenziale Est (A51), exiting at Linate/Idroscalo.

PalaSesto is a premier indoor sports complex in Sesto San Giovanni, situated in the northern urban belt of Greater Milan. It is a historic cornerstone for ice sports across Lombardy, equipped with regulation rinks for ice hockey, figure skating, synchronized skating, and curling. The arena regularly hosts official tournaments, ice shows, and exhibitions, alongside recreational ice sports.

How to get there: Wonderfully connected by public transit thanks to its proximity to Sesto Primo Maggio FS station, the terminus of metro line M1 (Red) and a major suburban train hub. By car, it is easily reached via Viale Fulvio Testi or exits along the Tangenziale Nord (A52).