The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena officially opened for the Olympics on Thursday, overcoming a series of delays and construction challenges. While the International Olympic Committee acknowledged that the venue was not entirely finished for its inaugural match, it showed significant improvement from five days earlier, when much of the arena was still under construction.
The 11,800-seat stadium welcomed nearly a full crowd for the Group B match between Italy and Olympic first-timers France, where Italy emerged victorious with a score of 4-1. Prior to the game, BBC Sport observed the site still bustling with construction activity, as piles of building materials cluttered the arena’s interior and exterior.
Christophe Dubi, the IOC’s executive director for the Olympic Games, candidly admitted that not every area of the venue was completed, but affirmed that it was sufficient for the matches to proceed. Ahead of the opening game, reports indicated that many essential finishing touches had yet to be made, with sections of the arena still exhibiting dust and debris.
On the day of the event, many visible improvements had taken place. The rubble and construction supplies were cleared, allowing spectators to navigate the concourses more freely. However, some amenities remained incomplete, with merchandise stalls still being constructed and promotional materials yet to be displayed. Notably, one side of the arena was simply a blank wall, which obscured the temporary stands and future concert setup.
The stadium’s remote location added to a sense of isolation, as it sits apart from nearby facilities, with the nearest metro station roughly 25 minutes away. Despite the hurdles faced in the lead-up to its opening, the successful hosting of the first match signifies a hopeful start for the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and its ability to embrace the spirit of the Olympics. As the games progress, the arena is expected to evolve further, making it a memorable venue in the athletes’ Olympic journey.