Breaking: 'Giant Hole in the Ice' At First Olympic Hockey Arena Test Event
Well, this isn't ideal. The very first Olympic hockey arena test event at the much-maligned Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is being delayed because there's... a giant hole in the ice. Yikes.
The first Olympic test event at Santagiuliana Arena is being delayed because there's a giant hole in the ice. They brought out a watering can to try and patch it. pic.twitter.com/357xeAY3kQ
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 9, 2026
For weeks and weeks, we've been hearing about concerns about the viability and readiness of the ice surface at the main Olympic arena in Milan, where the 2026 Games hockey tournament will be held. The NHL has expressed concern repeatedly about the construction and also the quality of the ice surface.
And while the league has said it will not send its players if there are any safety concerns with the ice, players, on the other hand, have been adamant that they'll play no matter what the conditions are. But we're not sure if anyone figured on navigating around giant holes in the ice surface.
Chris Johnston says they brought out a watering can to try to patch the huge pothole.
First Olympic hockey arena test event delayed by giant hole in the ice
The Italian Cup—the IHL Serie Final Four—was a key test run ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Other issues, more of the cosmetic variety, that were evident on Friday included missing seats and plastic sheeting everywhere.
USA Hockey is not happy about the state of the arena.
USA Hockey is upset with current rink conditions in Milan for Olympics 🇺🇸 https://t.co/n7K5dXuuCE
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) January 9, 2026
USA Hockey Exec John Vanbiesbrouck calls the whole thing a "circus", "unacceptable" and a "disgrace."
IIHF President Luc Tardif admitted earlier this week that parts of the arena might not be fully finished on time.
On Friday, however, Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer for Milan, was asked how confident he was that NHL players would be there. He answered, “100 % 100 %.”
