Cortina's successor will be chosen in Milan at the beginning of January. © FISG

Milan will have its big Olympic test

Even before Milan hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics, the northern Italian metropolis will see its first ice hockey highlight. The Scudetto and Coppa Italia will be contested in Milan in January.

04 December 2025

From: cst

In a press release, Italy's Ice Sports Federation (FISG) announced that Milan will host a prestigious weekend. From January 9th to 11th, the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena will host the Final Four of the IHL Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

The fact that an event of this magnitude is being held in Milan in January can be seen as the FISG's response to the criticism of recent weeks. Voices, particularly from North America, suggested that the stadiums in Milan might only be partially completed by the start of the Olympics.

FISG hopes for a revival of Milanese ice hockey

Four teams will travel to Milan in the battle for the Scudetto. The race is still open (until December 22nd), with Asiago, Sterzing, Ritten, and Cortina currently in the lead. However, HC Gröden (5th) in particular still has a chance of participating in the Final Four in Milan.

Andrea Gios hopes that Milan will remain an ice hockey hub even after the Olympics. © FISG

FISG President Andrea Gios emphasized the importance of the event in a statement: “This is a very important opportunity to bring ice hockey back to Milan. The two national events will generate great emotions. I hope this event can be the starting point for a new ice hockey project in the city that was present at the birth of Italian ice hockey.”

It's no secret that there's hope in Italy for a Milan comeback. There's talk of Milan joining the ICE Hockey League. "A Milanese team in a prestigious league would bring interest back to the city," said Gios.