Milan ice hockey venue opens after delays

The Santagiulia arena in Milan held a public test event with Italy's top teams as organisers prepare for the Winter Olympics; the venue will host 4,000 fans during the test days while some hospitality areas remain unfinished.

The Santagiulia ice hockey arena in Milan opened to the public on Friday with a test event featuring Italy's top teams. The venue is being prepared for the Winter Olympics, which Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will co-host from February 6-22. Organisers said the arena will have a capacity of 15,300 but hosted 4,000 fans during the test days while some hospitality areas remain unfinished. Officials described the three-day test as an opportunity to verify competition operations and the quality of the ice. Key facts: - The arena hosted a public test event featuring Italy's top teams on Friday. - The facility's full capacity is 15,300; 4,000 spectators attended during the test days and some hospitality areas are still incomplete. - The site is staging the Final Four of Italy's Championship and the 2025/2026 Italian Cup this weekend to assess the ice and spectator facilities. - Local organisers reported the rink is slightly shorter than NHL specifications; IOC Sport Director Pierre Ducrey said the difference is marginal and the rink meets requirements. - The Santagiulia venue is one of two ice hockey sites for the Games and is scheduled to host the gold medal games; it will be converted to a sports and live entertainment centre after the Olympics. Summary: Testing this weekend is intended to identify any refinements needed before Olympic ice hockey begins. Organisers have said they will debrief and make improvements as required ahead of the Games, which start on February 6.