The Golden Goose Arena has officially opened in Milan, offering a state-of-the-art padel experience in the heart of CityLife Park. Developed in collaboration with the luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose, the facility spans over 3,000 square meters and includes nine courts, retail spaces, and lounge areas. “The project required an eight-figure investment,” said Silvio Campara, CEO of Golden Goose, during the opening ceremony.
Cutting-Edge Sports Infrastructure
The arena features six premium all-black indoor courts, two vintage-style outdoor courts, and an immersive pro court equipped with tracking cameras and an LED scoreboard. A 1,000-square-meter retail and lounge area complements the sports zone, showcasing Golden Goose’s Star line and offering product personalization.
A Space for Everyone
Campara emphasized the arena’s inclusive mission and its role in building community. “The Arena is a place where the community interacts with the brand. We need to create value, not just make money. Initiatives do not always have to deliver a financial return; our goal is the common good,” he said. He also highlighted padel’s rapid growth, noting that it now counts “39 million players, up 158% year on year, and played by many women.”
The arena is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities and includes public areas such as a restaurant, playground, and a permanent outdoor kiosk set to open by November. “We expect more than 40,000 visitors,” Campara added.
Global Interest and Local Impact
Campara revealed that the concept has drawn attention from investors across America, Europe, and China. “We have invested significant resources in this project. It is the largest recreational area in Milan,” he said. He also addressed speculation about the brand’s future ownership: “We are the only direct-to-consumer brand growing at double digits. It’s natural to be in the spotlight. The 2025 financial year will close on a positive note, continuing the trend of 2024.”
Art and Architecture Meet Sport
A striking hand-shaped sculpture by artist Fabio Viale greets visitors at the entrance. Architect Fabio Novembre, who led the design, explained its significance: “It is the same hand as the Colossus of Constantine, but tattooed, it becomes the symbol of the arena.” Novembre described padel as “an inclusive and democratic sport, practiced equally by men and women,” and praised the arena’s translucent façades and modular structure, which can be dismantled in two days without concrete.
Albertini’s Vision for Padel in Milan
Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini played a key role in the arena’s development. Alongside Lorenzo Alfieri, he founded City Padel, the company managing the facility. “In Milan, there were only four padel courts. In 2017, we set out to promote the CityLife area through this sport, which brings people together and is accessible to everyone. A successful sport always has two components: competition and enjoyment,” said Albertini.
Civic Support and Sustainability
Mayor Beppe Sala praised the project’s quality and its contribution to Milan’s sporting landscape. “I’m impressed by the quality of this project. I’ve never played padel, but I have played squash, which I had some brief success with. Padel, on the other hand, is now well established in Milan,” he said. Sala noted that Milan now boasts 400 padel courts, including municipal and private facilities. “This space is not just for sport; it enhances the sense of community. It attracts people, creates jobs and benefits the city as a whole.”
Powered by Clean Energy
In partnership with Atlante, the arena will be powered by a 150-kilowatt photovoltaic system to meet daytime energy needs. A second phase will introduce battery storage to capture surplus energy for nighttime use, enabling full energy self-sufficiency.
Giving Back to the City
Profits generated by the Golden Goose Arena will be reinvested in Milan’s outlying neighborhoods, in collaboration with the city government, reinforcing the project’s commitment to social impact and urban development.
