Construction delays at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the primary venue for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, have raised concerns as the facility may not be ready on time to host NHL players returning to the Olympics after over a decade. With no backup stadium in place, organizers are under pressure to ensure the completion of the 16,000-seat arena located on the outskirts of Milan before the scheduled events.
A test event at the arena had to be relocated, and new test events are now set for January 9-11. Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for Milan Cortina, emphasized that there is no alternative plan and emphasized the importance of flawless organization at Santagiulia for the upcoming competitions.
The first Olympic hockey game at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is slated for February 5, featuring a women’s preliminary round match between Italy and France. In case of any delays, a backup plan is in place for the defending champion Canada to play against Finland at the secondary Rho Ice Hockey Arena, situated in a repurposed pavilion at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center.
Typically, new Olympic venues undergo testing at least a year before hosting medal events, ensuring not only the readiness of the ice surface but also the functionality of amenities like concession stands and washrooms. While the exact handover date of the venue to local organizers remains uncertain, Francisi expressed confidence in the ongoing progress and collaboration with construction companies to meet the Olympics deadline.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled to take place from February 11-22, followed by the women’s tournament from February 5-19. Despite the challenges, organizers are optimistic about the timely completion of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the prestigious sporting event.