Hockey, a key Winter Olympics event that is seeing the return of NHL players after over a decade, will be played on ice surfaces that are slightly smaller than NHL-standard size. The men’s and women’s games at two arenas will be held on rinks measuring 196.85 feet in length by 85.3 feet in width. This is slightly wider and more than three feet shorter than the NHL’s 200 by 85 feet dimensions.
The Milan rinks, approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation, adhere to one of the standard sizes set by the governing body. These rinks were previously used by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators for two games in Stockholm. The shift to these dimensions at the Olympics started in 2018, continued in 2022, and will be maintained for the 2026 Games in February, marking the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage.
The IIHF confirmed on Monday that the differences in rink size were in place in Milan without providing a detailed explanation. The federation stated that while these dimensions vary slightly from a typical NHL rink, they align with IIHF regulations, match the rink size used at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and comply with the NHL’s Global Series Game arena specifications. All the relevant parties involved, including the IIHF, organizing committee, NHL, NHLPA, International Olympic Committee, and venue authorities, unanimously agreed that these differences in rink specifications should not impact the safety or quality of gameplay.
In previous Olympics, hockey had been played on international ice measuring 196.85 by 98.4 feet in 1998, 2006, and 2014, with a slight variation in Salt Lake City in 2002. The Vancouver 2010 Games saw hockey played on NHL-sized ice due to the existing arenas.
Canada’s general manager Doug Armstrong raised concerns about the ice size being slightly different from NHL regulations, with national federations and coaches acknowledging the need for adaptation. Both hockey arenas in Milan, including the main arena and a smaller temporary venue within an exhibition center, will feature the same ice dimensions during the February games.
Construction at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a new 16,000-seat venue on the outskirts of Milan, is nearing completion, with organizers emphasizing that there is no backup plan in case of delays. A test event had to be relocated to the Rho Ice Hockey Arena, and final preparations at the main venue are scheduled for Jan. 9-11, just weeks before the Olympic hockey tournaments commence.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has expressed logistical concerns but reiterated assurance from the IOC and IIHF that everything will proceed as planned. The men’s Olympic hockey tournament is set to take place from Feb. 11-22, while the women’s tournament will run from Feb. 5-19.
