Gary Bettman has major 'concern' ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics

There is a little bit of uneasiness building toward February.

When speaking to the media at the NHL Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about the current situation in Milan, Italy, the host city of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

According to the Associated Press, a test event at the Milano Santagiulia, the main arena for ice hockey at the upcoming Winter Games, has been canceled due to delays in construction. That means that the first event held at the 16,000-seat venue will be the opening game of the women’s hockey tournament.

Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks out

Bettman expressed concern over the delays, which is nothing new to the league’s brass.

“We’ve had a concern for the last two years on the progress of the rink — both rinks, but mainly the main one — but it’s the IOC’s responsibility,” Bettman said. “We’re invited guests, but they know of our concerns, and we’re expecting that they’re going to make good on all the promises to have a facility that is, from a competitive standpoint, first class.”

It will certainly be unprecedented to have the best players in the world skate on untested ice at one of the sport’s biggest events. Bettman was asked if there were any contingency plans if the arena wasn’t ready by early February. He directed the narrative to the promises that have been made to the league.

“You’d better talk to the IOC. It’s not our issue. … This isn’t our event. We are constrained in what we can and can’t do, request and demand…if it reached a certain point, we’ll have to deal with it, but I’m not speculating, and we’ve been constantly assured by the IOC and the IIHF that it will be OK. Obviously, the [NHLPA] will share our concerns if there are any that are necessary.”

The other rink that will be used at the Games is the Fiera Milano.

The women’s tournament is scheduled to begin on Feb. 5, with the gold medal game taking place on Feb. 19. The puck drops on the men’s tournament on Feb. 11, with the final being held on Feb. 22.