Construction delays and potential rink size issues are plaguing the main hockey arena for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Reports indicate the ice surface at Santagiulia Arena may measure 60 meters by 26 meters, narrower and shorter than typical international standards. Officials are investigating, with concerns about player safety and game style.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are just over two months away, but the Santagiulia Arena, set to host half of the men's and women's hockey tournaments including marquee games, remains under construction. A test event originally scheduled for December has been postponed by a month, and there is no backup plan, according to organizers.
The primary concern centers on the ice surface dimensions. NHL rinks measure 200 feet by 85 feet, while international play typically uses 60 meters by 30 meters for more space and skill-focused games. However, sources report that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has approved 60 meters by 26 meters for Santagiulia Arena—essentially matching NHL width but shorter in length. Team Canada assistant coach Pete DeBoer noted this week that the rink "looks like it's going to be smaller than NHL rink standards, by probably three or four feet." He added, "I don't understand how that happened."
This smaller surface could lead to tighter play, more physicality, and increased risks, drawing parallels to the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, which used NHL-sized rinks. USA men's national team general manager Bill Guerin commented to The Athletic in October: "Om vi lärde oss något från Four Nations-turneringen så var det som, jag vill inte säga felfri hockey, men för forecheckingen fanns inget utrymme." In a more recent statement, Guerin elaborated: "I just don’t think you can put into words how tight those games were... How little room there was to operate. And how well these elite players can check."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman raised alarms as early as 2023 about the lack of progress on the 16,000-seat venue. A league tour in August revealed ongoing heavy construction, with no roads or practice facility groundwork. The IIHF is still reviewing the dimensions, while the NHL has declined to comment. The women's tournament begins February 5, potentially facing the most immediate challenges if delays persist. No completion target date has been set.