The building is way behind the construction schedule ahead of Milan Olympics

The Olympic Ice in Milan Faces Its First Real Test

From January 7 through January 9, the ice surface inside Milan’s new arena will undergo a critical test ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The venue is scheduled to host Olympic men’s hockey beginning February 11, and these early evaluations carry enormous weight.

Old sports adages apply here. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. In this case, the ice itself will introduce the arena to the hockey world. National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman and league officials will closely monitor the process, with two priorities guiding their attention: player safety and whether the surface can withstand the heavy workload required during the Olympic tournament.

Bettman has already made the league’s position clear. If the ice does not meet NHL standards, the league will not hesitate to pull its players from the event.

Size, Safety, and NHL Standards

One of the primary concerns involves the rink’s dimensions. The Milan ice surface measures 197 feet by 85 feet, slightly smaller than the NHL standard of 200 feet by 85 feet. While the difference may seem minor, even a stride or two can affect spacing, speed, and collision risk at the highest level of play.

Olympic hockey traditionally adapts to international rink sizes, but NHL participation raises expectations. Bettman and his staff will want reassurance that the surface allows elite players to perform safely under Olympic conditions. Any signs of inconsistency, softness, or poor durability during testing could raise red flags.

Despite the concerns, the likelihood of the NHL withdrawing from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games remains low. The league sees the Olympics as a vital global showcase. Exposure in Europe matters, and Milan could eventually become a destination for NHL preseason or even regular-season games.

A Deal Already in Place

In July 2025, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association finalized an agreement with the International Ice Hockey Federation that cleared the path for player participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. That deal addressed accommodations, ticket access for families, travel logistics, and the roles of both the league and the players’ union during the event.

With that agreement signed, expectations shifted from negotiation to execution. NHL players have already been informed that Olympic accommodations will not match their usual league standards. They have been told to expect imperfections.

Construction Delays Add Pressure

Those imperfections may begin with infrastructure. The Milan arena complex is not fully complete. Construction delays have pushed timelines dangerously close to the start of competition.

Locker rooms are expected to be housed in temporary trailers adjacent to the two Milan venues hosting hockey. The main arena structure itself remains unfinished. Typically, Olympic venues are completed at least a year before opening ceremonies. Milan is operating on a far tighter schedule.

No Turning Back Now

The test of the ice represents more than surface quality. It symbolizes readiness. The NHL wants its players on the Olympic stage. The IIHF needs credibility. Milan needs to prove it can deliver.

January’s results will not decide everything, but they will shape confidence. For Olympic hockey, the ice will speak first.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Tampa stays in the mix but must do some upgrades

Attention Nashville and Tennessee taxpayers: National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is thanking you for your more than one‑billion‑dollar contribution to a private business — the Tennessee Titans — to help pay for the franchise’s new stadium. With that investment, Goodell all but suggested that a Super Bowl is coming to Nashville in the future. While the commissioner cannot award a Super Bowl himself, the 31 NFL owners and the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors can act on his recommendation. Historically, NFL owners reward markets that publicly finance stadium construction with the league’s crown‑jewel event.

Goodell recently toured the construction site of the Titans’ next home and was so impressed he nearly handed out a Super Bowl on the spot. Almost. Nashville already proved it can host a major NFL event when the 2019 NFL Draft brought an estimated 600,000 people downtown over three days. Goodell and league executives still reference that weekend as a turning point for the city’s NFL profile. “You took the draft and made it yours… it was a wake‑up moment that this is a Super Bowl‑ready city,” Goodell said. In NFL terms, “Super Bowl‑ready” means one thing: a new stadium backed by significant taxpayer investment.

Why Tampa Must Upgrade Raymond James Stadium to Stay in the Super Bowl Mix

While Nashville rises, Tampa faces a different message from the league. Raymond James Stadium — opened in 1998 and last renovated in 2018 — needs major upgrades if Tampa wants to remain in the Super Bowl rotation. Buccaneers ownership has acknowledged that the venue is aging and must modernize to stay competitive for marquee events. Reports from WUSF, Pro Football Network, FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Sports Illustrated, and Pewter Report outline the same theme: the NFL expects substantial improvements to fan experience, premium seating, technology, and stadium infrastructure before awarding another Super Bowl.

The Buccaneers and Hillsborough County are now evaluating “major” or “massive” renovation plans, including expanded premium areas, updated concourses, enhanced technology, and overall modernization to match newer NFL venues. With new stadiums opening across the league, Raymond James risks falling behind without significant investment.

The Bigger Picture: Stadium Money Still Drives the NFL’s Biggest Decisions

Nashville’s billion‑dollar taxpayer commitment has placed the city squarely in the Super Bowl conversation, while Tampa — a proven Super Bowl host — must now upgrade to keep pace. The NFL’s message remains consistent: cities that invest heavily in stadium infrastructure are rewarded with the league’s most lucrative events. As the Titans’ new stadium rises and Raymond James Stadium faces pressure to modernize, the Super Bowl landscape continues to shift — driven, as always, by public dollars, private franchises, and the NFL’s relentless pursuit of premium venues.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Germany has other areas that want the event outside of Munich as well

Bavarian Voters Signal Olympic Ambitions

Voters in Munich and across Bavaria have made their position clear. They want the Olympic Games to return to the region in the future. In a recent vote, Bavarians backed an Olympic bid by a two-to-one margin, signaling strong public support for hosting a Summer Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter described the outcome as decisive. “There wasn’t a single outlier. All districts are backing the Olympic bid,” Reiter said. “I believe we can now approach the application with fresh energy and enthusiasm.” The result provides political momentum, but it does not guarantee Munich a place on the global Olympic stage.

Germany’s Internal Competition Comes First

Before Munich can take its case to the International Olympic Committee, it must first clear a national hurdle. In roughly a year, the German Olympic Sports Confederation will determine which region will represent Germany in any future Olympic bid.

Munich is not alone. Berlin, Hamburg, and the Rhine-Ruhr region are all competing for the same designation. Each offers different strengths, infrastructure, and political backing. Public support in Bavaria matters, but the final decision will balance logistics, cost, legacy planning, and international perception.

That internal competition ensures that even overwhelming regional enthusiasm does not translate automatically into an official bid.

History That Cannot Be Ignored

Any German Olympic bid carries historical weight. That reality looms especially large for Munich and Berlin.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics remain one of the most controversial Games in Olympic history. Adolf Hitler attempted to use the event as a propaganda platform to legitimize the Nazi regime and project a carefully controlled image of Germany to the world. That legacy still shapes international discussions around German Olympic bids.

Munich’s Olympic history is equally complex. The 1972 Summer Games were marred by tragedy when members of the Palestinian group Black September murdered 11 Israeli athletes and officials in what became known as the Munich Massacre. The event forever altered Olympic security and left a lasting scar on the city’s Olympic legacy.

Modern Leaders, Familiar Language

In 2023, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner publicly supported hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. He described the bid as an “exceptional opportunity” to present a new image of Germany to the world.

The language is strikingly familiar. In 1936, Germany also sought to reshape its global image through the Olympics. Today’s context is vastly different, but history ensures comparisons will be made.

Germany must convince the international community that it can honor the past while presenting a modern, democratic, and inclusive vision for the Games.

A Complicated Olympic Past

Germany’s Olympic history includes another forgotten chapter. In 1938, the IOC removed the 1940 Winter Olympics from Sapporo, Japan, due to the Sino-Japanese War and reassigned them to Munich. That decision came after Hitler invaded Austria and Czechoslovakia.

The Games never happened. World War II forced their cancellation.

That legacy underscores how global politics and sport often collide, sometimes with lasting consequences.

What Comes Next

Bavaria’s vote reflects enthusiasm, not entitlement. Munich has infrastructure, experience, and public backing. It also carries history that will shape every discussion.

The next step lies with Germany’s Olympic leadership. From there, the world will decide whether Munich’s future Olympic dream can rise above its complicated past.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com