The main ice hockey stadium for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games lacks a backup option in case it is not completed on time. The construction progress of the arena, where NHL players will return to the Olympics after a long absence, is delayed, pushing its completion to the last minute.
A test event at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a new 16,000-seat venue on the outskirts of Milan, had to be relocated, with new test events now scheduled for Jan. 9-11. According to Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for Milan Cortina, there is no contingency plan in place, emphasizing the need for flawless organization at Santagiulia.
The debut Olympic hockey match at the arena is a women’s preliminary round game between host Italy and France on Feb. 5, just a day before the opening ceremonies. The defending champion Canada will play Finland on the same day at the secondary Rho Ice Hockey Arena, situated in a repurposed pavilion within the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center.
Typically, Olympic venues undergo testing at least a year before hosting medal events, ensuring not only the readiness and safety of the ice but also testing facilities like concession stands and bathrooms. Although there is no definite handover date for the venue to local organizers, Francisi expressed confidence that it will be ready for the Olympics, noting the accelerated progress by construction companies.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is slated for Feb. 11-22, while the women’s tournament will take place from Feb. 5-19. Ongoing daily monitoring and collaboration between the organizing team and construction entities offer a positive outlook on the timely completion of the arena.