Concerns Over Ice Hockey Rink Completion for Milan-Cortina Olympics

The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) acknowledged that certain areas of the main ice hockey rink for the forthcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics might not be finished on time. However, he assured that the playing surfaces, practice facilities, and locker rooms would be ready for the men’s competition starting on February 11.

“We’re confident about it,” IIHF president Luc Tardif mentioned to reporters during the World Junior Championship. “I’m not going to Milan for free.”

He also noted that the main arena is set to hold about 11,800 fans, which wasn’t exactly what he had anticipated in terms of capacity.

“It’s a little short,” he said, as reported by the Canadian Press. “But it will be great preparation for the Olympics.”

Recently, construction delays and other issues surrounding the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, as well as facilities in Rho, have made headlines. The women’s tournament kicks off on February 5, marking the NHL’s return to winter competition since 2014.

Concerns have been raised by the NHL regarding the rink’s construction quality and the ice surface itself. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly stated last month in Winnipeg that the league would refrain from sending players if there were any safety issues with the ice.

The NHL is sending its own experts to Italy to evaluate the ice’s safety. While the rink dimensions are smaller than NHL standards, they still meet IIHF regulations.

Tardif emphasized that the IIHF doesn’t oversee the construction itself, leaving that responsibility to the International Olympic Committee and local organizing bodies, which complicates scheduling adjustments.

He plans to head to Italy this week with officials from the league and NHL Players Association for a test event at the venue.

“We are confident in the quality of our infrastructure,” he stated. “I wish I had slept better… I think I’ll have a good match, but could you please ask me some questions after this week is over?”

The NHL was reportedly surprised to learn that the dimensions of the two rinks were slightly wider and three feet shorter than the agreed-upon sizes with the IIHF. Daly mentioned that they’ve reminded the IIHF to ensure the ice surface meets standard NHL dimensions for the 2030 Olympics in France.