Construction delays at the main ice hockey arena for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games have raised concerns as there is no backup venue in place. The arena, designed to host NHL players returning to the Olympic Games after over a decade, is facing a tight deadline for completion.
The Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a new 16,000-seat facility on the outskirts of Milan, has experienced delays, leading to the relocation of a test event. With new test events not scheduled until Jan. 9-11, organizers are under pressure to ensure the venue is ready on time.
Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for Milan Cortina, emphasized that there is no contingency plan in place. The success of the competition hinges on the timely completion of the Santagiulia Arena.
The first Olympic hockey game at the venue is slated for Feb. 5, featuring a women’s preliminary round match between Italy and France. In the absence of a backup stadium, organizers are working diligently to ensure that all aspects of the arena, including concessions and facilities, are thoroughly tested and operational.
Despite the lack of a definitive handover date for the venue, Francisi expressed confidence in the progress being made by construction teams. Daily updates and close collaboration between all parties involved are key to meeting the deadline for the Winter Games.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled for Feb. 11-22, while the women’s tournament will take place from Feb. 5-19. With preparations intensifying, organizers remain optimistic about the successful completion of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in time for the prestigious sporting event.