With less than a month until the Winter Olympics, the newly built hockey arena in Milan is facing a fresh wave of criticism, this time over the surprisingly small size of its central video screen.
Fans Mock 'Worst Jumbotron of All Time'
Images and videos shared on social media by NHL reporter Chris Johnston have sparked disbelief and ridicule among ice hockey fans. The footage, posted on X this week, reveals the arena's interior, where a conspicuously tiny screen hangs from the ceiling above the ice rink.
The screen's dimensions have been compared unfavourably to domestic televisions, with spectators joking they might need binoculars to see it clearly during games. "That has to be the worst jumbotron of all time," concluded one fan. Another quipped, "I have a bigger Jumbotron in my house," while a third remarked, "Hysterical that they're going to be hosting an Olympic best on best and they just hung up four 55\" Vizio TV's and called it a jumbotron."
Construction Race Against the Olympic Clock
The screen controversy is the latest in a series of headaches for the venue, which has been plagued by construction delays. Johnston's posts also highlighted the significant amount of interior and exterior work still unfinished just weeks before the Games begin in February 2026.
The arena recently hosted test matches, which passed despite documented issues. The NHL, returning to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014, has previously voiced concerns about construction and ice quality. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated last month that the league would not send players if any safety risks were present.
Official Response and Remaining Hurdles
In a joint statement on Monday, the NHL and its Players' Association (NHLPA) acknowledged the challenges but struck a cautiously optimistic tone. They described the test events as "a good trial run" that provided important insights.
"While challenges are inherent with new ice and a still-under-construction venue, we expect that the work necessary to address all remaining issues will continue around the clock," the statement read. It confirmed that both bodies would continue to monitor progress closely, advising organisers to ensure tournament conditions are fit for the world's best players.
Despite the furore over the screen, Johnston noted a positive: the atmosphere inside the completed bowl of the arena was excellent during test games, with good sightlines and acoustics. The women's hockey tournament is scheduled to open on February 5, with the prestigious NHL-starred men's competition to follow.
