Olympic hockey arena in Milan unlikely to be finished for Games

IIHF president Luc Tardif said Milan's Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena likely will not be fully finished before the Olympics; the ice surface, practice facilities and dressing rooms are expected to be ready and seating is reported at about 11,800.

Milan's Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is reported likely not to be fully finished before the Winter Olympic hockey tournaments, IIHF president Luc Tardif said at the World Junior Championship. He said the ice surface, practice facilities and dressing rooms are expected to be ready, but some construction work will remain incomplete. Tardif also reported a reduced seating capacity compared with original plans. Key details: - IIHF president Luc Tardif said the facility likely will not be 100% finished ahead of the Games. - Tardif stated the ice surface, practice areas and dressing rooms are expected to be complete. - Seating is reported at about 11,800, down from the originally planned 14,000. - Organizers and the IOC were reported to have built the arena 3.15 feet shorter than originally planned, an issue raised in December. Summary: Tardif's remarks indicate essential team and ice facilities should be in place while other construction work may remain incomplete and seating will be reduced. The women's Olympic hockey tournament is scheduled to open at the arena on February 5, 2026, and the men's tournament is scheduled to begin there on February 11, 2026.