AC Milan Launches Academy in Jeddah as First Step of Long-Term Expansion in Saudi Arabia.

Roger Hampel

Image: AC Milan

AC Milan has announced the opening of a new AC Milan Academy in Jeddah, marking the club’s first permanent football development project in Saudi Arabia and a concrete step in its long-term international expansion strategy.

The academy, set to begin operations in January 2026, represents a structural investment rather than a short-term commercial activation. It positions youth development as the entry point for AC Milan’s presence in a market that has become increasingly relevant for global football.

Academy Model Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 AC Milan

The project has been framed as aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the national strategy aimed at expanding the country’s sports sector and increasing youth participation, health outcomes and social development through sport. In Saudi Arabia, youth training and education-based initiatives have become a preferred format for international sports organisations seeking long-term presence.

Partnership with SportPlex as Local Operating Platform

The academy will be developed in partnership with SportPlex, the largest indoor multisport facility in Jeddah. Rather than operating independently, AC Milan has opted for a local infrastructure partner, reducing execution risk and embedding the project within an existing sports ecosystem.

The operational model will combine AC Milan-appointed coaches with locally based specialists. Training will follow the club’s proprietary Metodo Milan, focusing on technical development, tactical understanding and off-pitch education.

This hybrid structure reflects a broader trend among elite clubs, where academies abroad function as knowledge-transfer platforms rather than direct talent pipelines to the first team.