Debate continues to swirl around the ice rink being prepared for Olympic hockey at Arena Santa Giulia in Milan, one of the key venues for the 2026 Winter Games. After early questions about the slightly shorter rink length, the focus has now shifted to the quality of the ice itself.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly did not mince words: if the surface isn’t safe, North American players simply won’t take part. “If the ice is unplayable, then it’s unplayable,” he said. “We’ll likely know before the Games officially begin. If the players feel the conditions aren’t safe, they won’t play.”
Despite the warning, Daly remains cautiously optimistic. NHL specialists are working hand-in-hand with Milano-Cortina technicians to ensure the surface matches professional standards. “We’ve offered our experts, technicians and outside suppliers,” he explained. “We’re basically transferring all our know-how to help deliver an acceptable product. I’m cautiously optimistic it will pay off.”
As for the rink dimensions, the IIHF confirmed the measurements at 60 by 26 meters, just slightly shorter than the NHL’s regulation 200 feet, but fully compliant with international standards and nearly identical to the surface used at the Beijing 2022 Games. The federation stressed that the difference has no impact on safety or quality of play, and that all stakeholders - including the organizing committee and the NHLPA - agree that the size is appropriate.
For the NHL, however, the real issue is not length but consistency and safety of the ice. Until those concerns are settled, the league is keeping a close watch.