The construction of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey venue has encountered significant delays as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan approach. This 11,800-seat stadium is expected to host key ice hockey matches, including the gold medal games for both men and women.
Current State of Santagiulia Venue
Despite its importance, the arena faces challenges just days before the Games commence. Many surrounding roads remain closed, hindering access. Inside the venue, construction debris and materials are scattered across the floor. Critical areas such as hospitality suites and food stalls are not yet completed, and seating arrangements for the press have not been installed.
Facilities and Amenities
While essential services like electricity and running water are operational, some facilities have yet to be finished. Lifts and toilets are still encased in plastic and appear unfinished. Organizers are making efforts to ensure that public-facing areas meet high standards, with ongoing cleaning and final touches underway.
Controversies and Challenges
The Santagiulia venue has faced scrutiny from various stakeholders, including the National Hockey League (NHL), which issued a boycott warning due to concerns over the rink’s specifications. Notably, the ice rink is shorter than the minimum length required by the NHL, raising safety concerns about potential high-speed collisions.
- Ice quality remains a topic of debate.
- The NHL expressed satisfaction with a test event earlier in January, despite an incident requiring a small repair to the ice.
Additional Ice Hockey Venue
In addition to Santagiulia, the Milano Rho Arena will host some preliminary matches. This temporary facility, located within the Fiera Milano exhibition center, has a capacity of 5,800, which is significantly less than that of Santagiulia.
As the event nears, organizers are hopeful that necessary adjustments will be completed to ensure a successful Olympic experience.
