NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed disappointment over the unfinished hockey arena in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Santagiulia rink remains under construction with no ice yet installed, raising safety concerns for the league. While the IOC downplays issues, the NHL insists the ice must be deemed safe before players participate.
The NHL's concerns about the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics hockey venues came to the forefront during a news conference on December 10, 2025, in Winnipeg. Commissioner Gary Bettman repeatedly described the situation as 'disappointing,' noting that the main arena, Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, is still under construction and lacks ice installation. 'The fact that the building at this point still isn't completed is … and I won't use any other adjectives, is disappointing,' Bettman said.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly echoed safety worries, stating that NHL players would not participate if the ice proves unsafe. 'If the ice isn't ready and it's not safe, then we're not going,' Daly remarked, calling it a 'self-fulfilling prophecy.' The league has ice technicians on site in Milan monitoring progress. At the secondary Rho arena, where a test event is underway, reports indicate the ice quality is good. However, Santagiulia's ice is not expected until late December or early January, with a test event scheduled for January 9-11 to simulate Olympic conditions, including three games per day in a 14,700-seat venue.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board, in its final 2025 meeting, minimized concerns about rink dimensions and timelines. Sports Director Pierre Ducrey stated that ice size issues have been 'successfully resolved' with no ongoing discussions involving the NHL, NHLPA, or IIHF. The rinks are shorter and slightly wider than NHL standards, but the IIHF assures no impact on safety or gameplay. Construction delays stem from pandemic-related uncertainties, and organizers, led by CEO Andrea Varnier, insist work is on schedule without a backup plan.
Bettman acknowledged the Olympics' benefits for hockey despite logistical challenges, such as a two-week season pause and varying team rosters upon return. 'I think it's good for hockey worldwide and it's something important to our players. That's why we do it,' he said, though he called participation a 'mixed bag.' The first Olympic hockey game at Santagiulia is set for February 5, 2026, leaving little margin for fixes if issues arise during testing.