With just over a year until the opening ceremony, concerns are mounting over the readiness of the ice hockey venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman publicly expressed disappointment with the pace of construction on the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, raising questions about whether the facility will be completed in time to host Olympic competition [[3]].The league is now taking steps to independently assess the ice quality and ensure a playable surface for its athletes, a critical factor as the NHL weighs its participation in the Games [[2]].
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman voiced concerns Wednesday regarding ongoing construction delays impacting the ice rink slated to host the hockey competition at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Speaking from the Winnipeg Jets’ facility, Bettman described the pace of construction as “disappointing,” particularly as the Games draw closer.
“I’m not trying to pile on, but in all prior Olympics, whether facilities were built permanently or temporarily, completion of the ice surface has never been this late,” Bettman stated. “That’s why we are cautious.”
The NHL has previously raised questions about the quality of the ice itself and is proactively dispatching its own experts to Italy to independently verify its safety and playability. The league wants to ensure a fair and competitive environment for its players participating in the prestigious international tournament.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated the target completion date for the main rink is February 2. With the women’s tournament scheduled to begin February 5 and the men’s competition running February 11-22, the timeline is becoming increasingly tight.
While the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (capacity 16,000) and the secondary Rho facility meet International Ice Hockey Federation standards, they are smaller than typical NHL rinks. Organizers have confirmed there is no altering the dimensions of the arenas at this stage.
The NHL was surprised to learn the rinks will be slightly wider and three feet shorter than the dimensions previously agreed upon with the IIHF. Daly affirmed that the league and the NHL Players’ Association have reminded the IIHF they expect standard NHL ice size for the 2030 Olympics in France.
