Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Completion Odds
The 2026 Olympic Ice Hockey competition features NHL players for the first time since 2014. But concerns have surfaced about the size and surface of the ice hockey arena for the Milan 2026 Olympics, leading to speculation on whether or not NHL players will participate. Here are the latest Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Completion Odds.
The Olympics hockey arena was discovered to be built significantly shorter than NHL standards and has yet to be completed – despite the Olympics approaching fast, the Athletic reported. Bookies.com developed odds projecting if the NHL will drop out due to the violation of rink standards and when the arena itself will be completed, as the Italians are running far behind schedule.
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Santagiulia Arena in Milan won’t open for testing until Jan. 9. The Games begin on Feb. 6. Its dimensions of 60 meters (196.85 feet) by 26 meters raised concerns among NHL players. That’s more than 3 feet shorter than the standard NHL rink, albeit slightly wider. Some believe that could lead to more frequent and collisions. Thus, our Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Completion Odds.
The competition on the ice revved up this past winter. Team USA and Team Canada engaged in their own mini-Hot/Cold War during the Four Nation’s Tournament. Canada won that trophy.
Will The NHL Drop Out Of The Olympics?
| Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
| No | -1150 | 92.0% |
| Yes | +1150 | 8.0% |
Olympic Hockey Arena Completion Odds
| Outcome | Odds | Percent Chance |
| January | -150 | 60.0% |
| February | +250 | 28.6% |
| December | +2200 | 4.3% |
| The Field | +1300 | 7.1% |
This isn’t the first time that the state of the ice hockey arena raised concerns ahead of the Olympic Games. In 2014, the NHL and its players spoke out against the pace of construction and dimensions of the Bolshoy Ice Dome, in addition to the ice surface. Those Games marked the last time NHL players participated in the Games.
Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Q&A
Q: Why is the Olympic hockey arena behind schedule?
A: While the delays do not stem from the incorrect rink size, the Olympics hockey arena is still significantly behind schedule, triggering our Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Completion Odds. While other countries typically like to test their venues an entire year before the Olympics, the 2026 Milan crew has pushed the test date for this venue back to January – just days before the start of the Olympics. The actual construction of the arena is the issue and is not entirely connected to the incorrect size of the rink.
Q: Could the NHL actually pull out of the Olympics due to the rink-size violation?
A: While the rink-size issue is serious, current projections indicate it’s highly unlikely the NHL will withdraw. Bookies.com gives “No” a 92% chance (-1150 odds) in our Milan 2026 Olympics: NHL Participation and Arena Completion Odds, reflecting strong confidence that the league and Olympic organizers will find a way to resolve the issue before competition begins. The “Yes” outcome—suggesting the NHL could drop out—carries just an 8% chance (+1150 odds), signaling that withdrawal is viewed as a remote possibility.
Q: When is the Olympic hockey arena most likely to be completed?
A: According to completion odds, January is the most probable finish timeframe with a 60% chance (-150 odds). February completion—cutting dangerously close to the start of the Olympics—has a 28.6% chance (+250). December remains unlikely at 4.3% (+2200), and all other possibilities grouped under “The Field” collectively carry only a 7.1% chance (+1300). These projections highlight the race against time as organizers work to finish construction.
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