2026 Milano Olympics Arena

[Martin Veillette]

I saw this today (february 23rd 2025) in East Milano. That's the arena for the 2026 ice hockey final. Are they late?

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[Rob]

I saw this today (february 23rd 2025) in East Milano. That's the arena for the 2026 ice hockey final. Are they late?View attachment 981364

I remember reading that it was behind schedule. As long as it is ready with no issues this time next year. Crosses fingers.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I remember reading that it was behind schedule. As long as it is ready with no issues this time next year. Crosses fingers.

Last year there was supposedly a LeBrun tweet that said the rink would be NHL
dimensions. Has anyone heard if that's true?

 

[JackSlater]

Last year there was supposedly a LeBrun tweet that said the rink would be NHL
dimensions. Has anyone heard if that's true?

It's LeBrun quoting the head of the IIHF. Have to think it's true.

 

[Summer Rose]

I remember reading that it was behind schedule. As long as it is ready with no issues this time next year. Crosses fingers.

The stereotype of construction projects in Italy is that they always get delayed and are constantly behind schedule, only to get completed just in time at the last minute.

 

[Rob]

It's LeBrun quoting the head of the IIHF. Have to think it's true.

That's an important fact. It will influence how Canada and USA construct their rosters

 

[JackSlater]

That's an important fact. It will influence how Canada and USA construct their rosters

I would think that it means their rosters will be quite similar to those at the four nations event. Some tweaks, but it's a year away and the ice size will be the same and we should anticipate NHL referees. IIHF's slightly different rule book (and IIHF making discipline decisions) is a slight change.

 

[Crosby2010]

If it is NHL sized, then yeah I think the teams might be similar. One thing to note, fighting in the Olympics is nearly non-existent. Fighting in the World Cup/4 Nations is under NHL rules and I think that showed why we had some more sandpaper on the team. So we can keep that in mind. But since it won't be the big ice like in 2006 then it definitely means they may side on a more physical team. For example Sam Bennett becomes more valuable in NHL-sized ice I think. Celebrini would be better in bigger ice I think. Maybe Bedard. Maybe a speedster like Barzal is left off because of this too. In 2002 I believe it was a hybrid in Salt Lake City. Sort of in between the NHL and Olympic sized ice. But I do see a similar constructed team in 2026 if this is the case. I've said 25% of the team will change, and I think that might be just about right. That's about 5 players. Hard to believe there won't be 5 changes to the roster. Cooper can coach though.

 

[Czechboy]

Came here to find out if it is NHL size rinks. Thank you and very happy it is NHL rinks. Switch them all please.

 

[Summer Rose]

Came here to find out if it is NHL size rinks. Thank you and very happy it is NHL rinks. Switch them all please.

Not sure what you mean by “switch them all.” All European sized rinks in existence? That’s a big ask. Or just that you want the Olympics to be played on NHL-sized ice going forward?

 

[Czechboy]

Not sure what you mean by “switch them all.” All European sized rinks in existence? That’s a big ask. Or just that you want the Olympics to be played on NHL-sized ice going forward?

Forever, I have wanted one same size playing field for the sport. Didn't care if it was Olympic or NHL size but wanted the same size. More recently, I've preferred the smaller rinks as I think they encourage more skill (IMO). The other argument for switcing to Olympic is that you'd lose expensive seats (this is debatable as I'd argue you'd lose a few cheap seats in upper level). So fine, make them all NHL rinks and switching Olympic ice rinks to NHL ones creates some new expensive seats.

I just don't like different size rinks.

 

[Summer Rose]

Forever, I have wanted one same size playing field for the sport. Didn't care if it was Olympic or NHL size but wanted the same size. More recently, I've preferred the smaller rinks as I think they encourage more skill (IMO). The other argument for switcing to Olympic is that you'd lose expensive seats (this is debatable as I'd argue you'd lose a few cheap seats in upper level). So fine, make them all NHL rinks and switching Olympic ice rinks to NHL ones creates some new expensive seats.

I just don't like different size rinks.

I think we'll get there over time eventually, but it'll be a process that takes decades. New arenas going up in Europe will probably just shift over time to using NHL-sized ice gradually. Narrowing the playing surface of an existing arena doesn't really seem worth it to me, but that's just my opinion.