> At a Glance
> – The Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics may not be fully finished on time
> – The playing surface, practice facilities, and dressing rooms will be ready for the men’s event starting Feb. 11
> – IIHF President Luc Tardif confirmed confidence in the infrastructure despite construction delays
> – Why it matters: The NHL is returning to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014, and any safety concerns could affect player participation
Construction delays have raised questions about the readiness of the Olympic ice hockey facilities, but officials say the essential elements will be in place for competition.
Arena Status
The main hockey rink, scheduled to host the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, is experiencing construction setbacks. Luc Tardif, head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, acknowledged that parts of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena might not be fully completed on time.
Despite these delays, Tardif assured reporters at the world junior championship that the core components needed for competition will be operational.
> “We can be confident on that. You’re not going to go to Milano for nothing.”
The arena’s seating capacity has been adjusted to 11,800, which Tardif noted is “a little bit short” of expectations, but he described the setup as “nice” for the Olympic Games.
NHL Concerns
The NHL has voiced concerns about both construction progress and ice quality. Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner, stated last month in Winnipeg that the league will not send players if safety concerns exist regarding the ice conditions.
In response to these concerns, the league is sending its own experts to Italy to assess the ice surface quality. The facility features rinks that are smaller than NHL standards but still meet IIHF regulations.
The NHL and NHLPA have also reminded the IIHF that they expect standard NHL-sized ice surfaces at the 2030 Olympics in France, following the current dimension discrepancies.
| Facility Aspect | Current Status | NHL Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Dimensions | Wider & 3 ft shorter | Standard NHL size |
| Rink Size | Within IIHF standards | NHL specifications |
| Seating Capacity | 11,800 | Higher expected |
Timeline and Oversight
The IIHF is not overseeing the construction process, as that responsibility falls to the International Olympic Committee and local organizers. Tardif noted the federation’s limited influence over the construction timeline.
A test event is scheduled for later this week, with Tardif traveling to Italy alongside NHL and NHLPA officials to assess the venue’s readiness. The women’s tournament begins Feb. 5, with the men’s competition starting Feb. 11.
> “I’m confident about the quality of the infrastructure. We would have liked to sleep much better… I think we will have a good competition, but maybe you can ask me the question after (this week).”
Key Takeaways
- The Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena will have essential facilities ready despite construction delays
- Seating capacity is reduced to 11,800, below initial expectations
- The NHL is monitoring ice quality and safety conditions closely
- Ice dimensions differ from NHL standards but meet IIHF requirements
- Player participation depends on safety assessments being conducted this week
With the Olympics approaching, all parties are working to ensure the venues meet necessary standards for safe competition while acknowledging the compressed timeline has created challenges that will likely extend to future Olympic planning.
