Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games on the Tightrope
The construction of the main ice hockey arena for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is in a critical situation, with no backup plan in case of delays. The arena, which is intended to host NHL players, who will return to the Olympics after more than a decade, is suffering delays and the completion of the work is being pushed to the limit. A test event at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the new venue with a capacity of 16,000 spectators being built on the outskirts of Milan, had to be moved, and the new tests will not take place until January 9-11.The first Olympic match in the main hockey arena is scheduled for February 5, in the women’s preliminary round, one day before the opening ceremony. Normally, new Olympic venues are tested at least a year before hosting medal events. In the case of a large hockey arena, it’s not just about the ice and ensuring the playing surface is ready and safe, but also about testing the food stalls, bathrooms, and everything else inside the new arena. Francis admitted that there is no “precise date” for the delivery of the venue to the local organizers, but he is confident that it will be ready for the Games.There is no Plan B. So, we necessarily have to be able to organize the competition impeccably in Santagiulia.
Andrea Francisi, operations director of the Milan-Cortina Games
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled from February 11 to 22, while the women’s tournament will take place from February 5 to 19.There are daily updates in the sense that our team is there working every day. The companies involved in the construction of the facility have significantly accelerated their work.
Andrea Francisi
