IIHF confirms smaller rink for 2026 Olympics, calls changes ‘insignificant’
With all the speculation and concern surrounding the hockey rink construction for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, the IIHF released a statement Monday confirming that the ice surface for Milano Cortina 2026 will have smaller-than-NHL dimensions.
The IIHF has released a statement confirming that the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games hockey rink will measure 60.0 m x 26.0 m (approximately 196.85 ft. x 85.3 ft). "The differences are insignificant, and should not impact either the safety or quality of game play."
The statement reads as follows:
“The IIHF can confirm that the ice surfaces for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will measure 60.0 m x 26.0 m (approximately 196.85 ft. x 85.3 ft). While these dimensions differ slightly from a typical NHL rink, they are consistent with IIHF regulations, match the rink size used at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and are fully consistent with the dimensions the NHL requires as part of its Global Series Game arena specifications. All involved, the IIHF, the Organizing Committee, NHL, NHLPA, IOC and the relevant venue authorities agree that the differences in rink specifications are insignificant, and should not impact either the safety or quality of game play. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best players for a best-on-best competition at the Games.”
Standard NHL rink dimensions are 200 feet by 85 feet, meaning the dimensions at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, which will be 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet, will be just over three feet shorter and less than half a foot wider than the ice surface NHLers grace on a nightly basis.
As mentioned in the statement, the rink dimensions that will be used at the Olympics next February are consistent with dimensions the NHL has approved for its Global Series. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators played two games in Stockholm, Sweden last month on an ice surface that matches the Milano Cortina 2026 dimensions.
Of course, rink size has not been the only concern regarding the arena construction heading into the Olympics. The Division 1B World Junior tournament, which began Monday and was meant to be held at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena as a test tournament for the Olympics, had to be relocated as the construction of the arena is behind schedule.