The International Ice Hockey Federation has confirmed that hockey games at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics will use rinks slightly smaller than NHL dimensions. The surfaces measure 60 meters by 26 meters, over three feet shorter but a few inches wider than the NHL's 200-by-85-foot standard. All involved parties agree the differences are insignificant and will not affect play.
The IIHF approved the rink dimensions for the two venues in Milan: the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a new 16,000-seat facility under construction on the city's outskirts, and the temporary Rho Ice Hockey Arena inside an exhibition center. These measurements match IIHF regulations and were used at the 2022 Beijing Olympics as well as for NHL Global Series games between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators in Stockholm last November.
The decision surprised some NHL and NHL Players' Association officials, who had agreed last summer to NHL-sized ice for the men's tournament from February 11-22. The women's event runs February 5-19. Hockey Canada informed its players about the specs during an August orientation camp, but athletes from other nations learned of it more recently.
"While these dimensions differ slightly from a typical NHL rink, they are consistent with IIHF regulations, match the rink size used at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and are fully consistent with the dimensions the NHL requires as part of its Global Series Game arena specifications," the IIHF stated. "All involved, the IIHF, the organizing committee, NHL, NHLPA, IOC and the relevant venue authorities agree that the differences in rink specifications are insignificant, and should not impact either the safety or quality of game play."
Finland men's general manager Jere Lehtinen noted, “It’s the same for every team, and I think that’s the bottom line. Our coaches, maybe it’s more interesting and something you need to pay attention more.”
Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon acknowledged potential adjustments: “If you have a foot less space, it can be a big difference. If you get a foot closer in the slot, I think that could be a big difference. But it’s the same for everybody.”
Canada general manager Doug Armstrong raised the issue in September and October, while assistant coach Peter DeBoer discussed it on a radio show. Assistant coach Bruce Cassidy expressed confidence despite construction delays: “We’re aware that they’re behind schedule a little bit, but we’re all assuming that that’ll all be taken care of."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has voiced logistics concerns but received assurances from the IOC and IIHF that everything will proceed smoothly. The arenas will host NHL players for the first time at the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, marking a best-on-best competition after a 12-year absence.