The Olympic Arena in Milan Opened: Why There Are Only 4000 Spectators in the Stands

Opening of the 'Santa Giulia' Arena

According to Главком: The Olympic arena 'Santa Giulia' in Milan opened its doors for testing competitions despite construction delays. The opening took place on January 9, but during the test days, the arena's capacity was limited to 4000 spectators, although it can accommodate a total of 15300 people. The arena hosted the 'Final Four' of the championship and the Italian Cup, marking the first serious test for the new sports facility.

The ice in the arena was found to be one meter shorter than the NHL standard, which raised some concerns among organizers. The International Ice Hockey Federation, led by Luc Tardif, will closely monitor the quality of the ice. According to NHL representative Bill Daly,

“the league will not send its stars if the quality of the ice or the safety of the boards do not meet requirements”

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2026 Olympic Games

The men's tournament at the 2026 Olympic Games will start on February 11, and the 'Santa Giulia' arena will be one of the key venues for the competitions. After the Olympics, the arena will change its profile and become a multifunctional center.

It is worth noting that four hockey players of Ukrainian descent will participate in the 2026 Olympics:

• brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk on the US team
• Cale Makar and Colton Parayko on the Canadian team

The opening of the 'Santa Giulia' arena is an important step in preparing for the Olympic Games, which will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026. Despite some technical issues, such as the non-standard ice size, the organizers are hopeful for a successful conduct of the competitions. The participation of hockey players of Ukrainian descent highlights the international aspect of the tournament and Ukraine's growing role in the world of sports.