Construction of the main hockey arena for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics is facing significant delays, causing concerns about the readiness of the Santagiulia arena. Originally planned to host a test event in December, the 16,000-seat arena has now been replaced by a smaller venue, with no new test event scheduled yet. This situation suggests that the main arena may not see any action until the women’s preliminary round competition on Feb. 5, just a day before the opening ceremony.
Milan-Cortina local organizing committee CEO Andrea Varnier acknowledged the tight timeline for completion, emphasizing the challenges ahead. While NHL commissioner Gary Bettman refrained from direct comments on the construction progress, he highlighted that the responsibility lies with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation to ensure a top-notch facility for competitive play.
The relocation of the test event from the Santagiulia arena to the Rho Fiera hockey venue has further underscored the delays in testing critical elements like concession stands and washrooms. Typically, new Olympic venues undergo testing well in advance to address any operational issues. Despite the setbacks, tickets for events at the Santagiulia arena, including the men’s gold medal game, are already on sale at premium prices.
Amid the uncertainties, the return of NHL players to the Winter Games after almost a decade marks a significant milestone. The Canadian teams are gearing up for their respective matches, with the women’s team commencing defense of their gold medal on Feb. 5 against Finland, while the men’s team faces the Czech Republic on Feb. 12. The tournament schedules have been unveiled, with high anticipation for the thrilling hockey action set to unfold in Milan and Cortina.
