June 13 – European competitive football has never crossed continental borders – until now. AC Milan versus Como 1907 could make history by relocating to Perth’s Optus Stadium during the 2025/26 season, with Serie A poised to become the first major league to stage a genuine league fixture outside Europe.
The catalyst isn’t all about ambition but necessity. Milan’s iconic San Siro will host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, forcing the Rossoneri to seek alternative venues. Perth’s 60,000-capacity arena represents more than just a temporary solution – it’s a statement of intent.
The breakthrough comes courtesy of Relevant Sports’s successful anti-trust battle with FIFA, finally clearing the path for domestic matches to venture anywhere on the planet.
Australia isn’t a random choice. The country’s substantial Italian immigrant population presents potentially an untapped market, while Serie A eyes an opportunity to challenge the Premier League’s stranglehold on Australian audiences. It’s cultural warfare disguised as logistics.
Should Milan make the leap, expect the floodgates to open. Relevant Sports has made no secret of its ambitions to bring Europe’s elite to American soil for competitive fixtures, not just glorified friendlies. The US market represents the ultimate prize.
Yet the risks run deeper than jet lag. Fan groups will revolt at the commercialization of their sport, while questions of competitive integrity loom large. How fair is it to force two clubs into transcontinental travel while their rivals enjoy home comforts?
Player welfare concerns add another layer of complexity. Mid-season flights to Australia aren’t exactly conducive to peak performance, particularly when title races are decided by fine margins.
Serie A would be rolling the dice, but in football’s global arms race, sometimes the biggest risks yield the greatest rewards. The question isn’t whether other leagues will follow suit – it’s how quickly they’ll scramble to catch up.
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