NHL in Italy by 2026: Verona or Santa Giulia Arena
- Verona and Milan are potential candidates to host a game between two teams from the North American hockey league.
- Following the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, Italian ice could host another major event: a National Hockey League game.
- The NHL has a history of holding games in Europe, though never in Italy.
NHL Game Could Be Hosted in Italy
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Verona and Milan are potential candidates to host a game between two teams from the North American hockey league.
Following the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, Italian ice could host another major event: a National Hockey League game. Milan,with its new Santa giulia arena,and Verona,with its historic Arena,are potential locations. Discussions are reportedly underway between local authorities, the Italian Ice Sports Federation, and the NHL, a league comprised of 32 franchises from the United States and Canada.
Global Series in Italy?
The NHL has a history of holding games in Europe, though never in Italy. The first European tour was in 1938 when the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens played a series of nine games in London, Brighton, and Paris. Since 2017, the Global Series
has been held in arenas across Sweden, Switzerland, germany, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
Two games are scheduled for November 2025 in Stockholm. An NHL game in Italy would likely occur in the fall of 2026 or 2027.
Verona’s Arena as a Venue
The possibility of hosting a game in Verona’s Arena faces challenges. The open-air amphitheater poses a risk, as rain could make the ice difficult to play on. Recent Global Series events in Tampere and Prague were held indoors, accommodating 15,000 spectators.
Temperature is another factor, as the Global series typically takes place between late September and mid-November. The high cost of preparing the ice track is also a consideration.
Though, these obstacles may not be insurmountable. The Arena has hosted ice events in the past, such as A Work on Ice
in September, featuring figure skating champions like Carolina Kostner and Evgeni Plushenko. A hockey game in a Roman amphitheater has precedent: in 2012, Medveščak Zagreb and Olimpija Ljubljana, and later zagreb and Vienna Capitals, played in the Arena of Pula, in Istria.
Constraints related to the Veronese monument also exist, though the Arena has hosted sporting events, including a European Volleyball Championship game in August 2023, attended by 9,000 spectators.
Santa Giulia as an Alternative
Verona is not the only Italian candidate to host an NHL game. Milan is also in contention,with the Arena Santa Giulia,a multi-purpose venue with 16,000 seats in the Rogoredo area. The arena will host part of the olympic ice hockey tournaments from Feb. 5-22, 2026.
The Milanese arena, a legacy project created by private investors, is a candidate to host major artistic and cultural events. While it lacks a permanent ice rink, the possibility of hosting an NHL game is under consideration.
NHL Games in italy: could the Puck Drop in Verona or Milan?
Will the NHL Ever Play a Game in Italy?
The possibility of the National Hockey League (NHL) hosting a game in Italy is a topic of discussion.Following the Milan-cortina Olympic Games, the country could perhaps host another major ice hockey event. Discussions are reportedly underway between local authorities, the Italian Ice Sports Federation, and the NHL.
Where in Italy Could an NHL Game be Held?
Two Italian cities are in contention to host an NHL game:
Verona: The historic Arena di Verona is being considered.
Milan: The new Santa Giulia Arena, a multi-purpose venue, is also a potential candidate.
What Challenges Does Verona’s Arena Face?
Hosting a game in Verona’s Arena presents several challenges:
Open-Air Venue: The open-air amphitheater poses risks, particularly due to potential rain affecting the ice quality.
Temperature: The Global Series typically occurs between late September and mid-november, requiring the ice to be maintained in a specific temperature range.
* Cost: Preparing the ice track for a hockey game is expensive.
has the NHL Played in Europe Before?
Yes, the NHL has a history of holding games in Europe. The first European tour was in 1938 when the Detroit red Wings and Montreal Canadiens played a series of nine games in London, Brighton, and Paris. Since 2017, the “Global Series” has been held in arenas across Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
When Might an NHL Game in Italy Occur?
If an NHL game is held in Italy, it would likely occur in the fall of 2026 or 2027.
What About Milan’s Santa Giulia Arena?
Milan’s Santa Giulia Arena, with 16,000 seats, is another candidate for hosting a game. It will host part of the Olympic ice hockey tournaments from February 5-22, 2026.
Key Considerations for Hosting an NHL Game
Hear’s a comparison of factors for Verona’s Arena and Milan’s Santa Giulia Arena:
| Feature | Arena di Verona | Arena Santa Giulia |
| ——————- | —————————– | ——————————– |
| Location | Verona | Milan |
| Type | Open-air amphitheater | Multi-purpose arena |
| Capacity | (varies) | 16,000 seats |
| Advantages | Historic venue | Hosting Olympic ice hockey events |
| Potential Challenges | Weather (rain), Temperature, Cost| Lacks permanent ice rink |