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Will Smaller Ice Rinks Revolutionize Olympic Hockey?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Dorine Otinga | Last updated Dec 13, 2025 11:42 AM ET

Think about it. Imagine Olympic hockey with action going back and forth, end to end, with players zipping around at lightning speed on much smaller ice than what we’ve seen before? This creates a heart-pounding sprint with every shift.

IIHF’s Proposed Olympic Rink Size Changes

That’s the exciting new direction being considered as part of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). This is reducing the size of Olympic hockey rinks from the very large 200 by 85 feet (61m x 26m) to the size of professional rinks currently used by the National Hockey League (NHL). However, the IIHF has suggested a slightly smaller version, 197 by 82 feet, similar to the pros.

It was just confirmed 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).

North American fans have been complaining for years about the large size of Olympic hockey rinks. They feel that the larger ice surface makes the game too slow. Many North American professional players, such as Sidney Crosby, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, have complained about the extra width making it difficult for them to chase down pucks, as they do when they are playing professionally. “It’s a different game”, Crosby said after the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Shrinking the size of the rink may allow fans to see more end-to-end racing and more chances for hits, shots, and thrilling overtime periods.

Those in favor of the change say that the change will create a more level playing field. Currently, European teams dominate Olympic hockey essentially because they are more familiar with playing on larger ice surfaces in international competition. A change in ice size may give teams from North America, such as Canada, an advantage through their use of a more aggressive style of play using more body contact, which is more common in the NHL.

Rink Size Debate: Boosting Goals vs. Preserving Skill

The numbers support the idea of changing the size of the ice surface. According to statistics provided by the IIHF, the NHL averages 6.5 goals per contest, while Olympic hockey contests average only 5.2 goals. This could lead to more casual fans becoming interested in hockey because of the higher energy levels associated with fast-paced games.

On the other hand, many people oppose the change in ice size. Some, including coaches of top European national teams, believe that the larger size of the rink allows players to showcase their skills in hockey rather than simply relying on physical strength. “It would make the Olympics into mini-NHL”, stated one IIHF official.

With the Milano Cortina Games approaching in 2026, it appears that there is a possibility that the IIHF may conduct a pilot test with the smaller rink sizes. If the IIHF adopts the smaller rink sizes for the 2026 Olympics, it could be more than a minor change to the size of the rink. It could change the nature of Olympic hockey by bringing together the best aspects of both styles of hockey.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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