Construction on the main hockey arena for the Milan-Cortina Games is facing a tight deadline as NHL players gear up for their return to the Olympics after over a decade. The main test event for the 16,000-seat Santagiulia arena, initially planned for December, has been relocated to a smaller venue, and no new test event date has been set yet, according to local organizers.
This situation hints at the possibility that the main arena may not host a game until the women’s preliminary round competition on Feb. 5, just a day before the opening ceremony. Despite the tight timeline, Milan-Cortina local organizing committee CEO Andrea Varnier acknowledged the challenges, stating, “It’s going to be very close to the start of the games, the timeline is very tight. But we knew that.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman deferred concerns about the construction timeline to the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation, emphasizing that it is their responsibility. He also mentioned that the NHL will address any issues with the Players’ Association if necessary.
The Santagiulia ice testing event, originally part of the under-20 world championship, was moved to the Rho Fiera hockey venue. Typically, new Olympic venues undergo testing at least a year before hosting medal events, ensuring not only the readiness and safety of the playing surface but also testing concession stands, bathrooms, and other facilities.
Despite the delays and uncertainties, tickets for events at the Santagiulia arena are already being sold at high prices. For instance, seats for the men’s gold medal game on Feb. 22 are fetching up to 1,400 euros, making it the most expensive sporting event at the Milan-Cortina Games.
The return of NHL players to the Olympics was announced in February, allowing the league’s top players to participate in the Winter Games for the first time since 2014. The Canadian women’s team will start their gold medal defense on Feb. 5 against Finland, while the men’s team will kick off on Feb. 12 against the Czech Republic, aiming to replicate their 2014 gold medal victory against Sweden.
The Santagiulia arena, constructed by a private company, is set to become Italy’s largest indoor arena and is being considered as a future host for the ATP Finals tennis event post-Olympics.
The full Olympic hockey schedule has been unveiled, detailing the games leading up to the medal rounds. Canadian games will be broadcast in late morning or early afternoon Eastern Time due to the time difference, ensuring fans can catch all the action as the competition unfolds.