Despite concerns from the NHL regarding the ice rink dimensions and construction delays at the Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, female hockey players, including Team Canada's Renata Fast and three-time Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield, remain unfazed. They are accustomed to playing on varying ice surfaces and are prepared to adapt to the conditions. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedly resolved concerns with the NHL, while the tournament is set to begin on February 5, 2026.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee provided an update to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on the final preparations for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. The presentation highlighted strong momentum, evidenced by successful test events, workforce deployment, and public engagement through the Olympic Torch Relay. Key priorities for the coming weeks include venue activation, workforce mobilization, and operational integration. The Uniform & Accreditation Centre has opened, processing accreditations for Games-time staff. Test events, including those sanctioned by the International Skating Union, International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation, and International Ice Hockey Federation, have provided valuable feedback on operational readiness. The Olympic Torch Relay continues to generate public interest across Italy, fostering national support and connecting communities to Olympic values.

Organizers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics face mounting challenges with the ice hockey venue, including construction delays and potential safety issues. The venue, Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, is behind schedule, forcing relocation of test events. Concerns arise regarding the smaller rink size (60 meters by 26 meters) compared to NHL standards, potentially impacting player safety and game dynamics. Despite these issues, the NHL is expected to participate, and the International Ice Hockey Federation implemented mandatory neck guards. The timeline is tight, with the venue handover date uncertain, and no 'plan B' is available. The competition is scheduled for February 2026.

NHL stars will return to the Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina 2026 after a 12-year absence. Sam Reinhart, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, expressed his excitement about representing Canada. The NHL had barred its players from PyeongChang 2018 due to disagreements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and withdrew from Beijing 2022 due to the pandemic. A recent agreement confirmed NHL players' participation in Milano-Cortina 2026.

The NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF have reached an agreement with the support of the International Olympic Committee to allow NHL players to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking their return after a 12-year absence since Sochi 2014. The agreement has been welcomed by national federations and players, and the US has already named six NHL players to its preliminary roster. The parties hope for continued participation in 2030 and 2034.