Para Ice Hockey Breaks Attendance Record at Milano-Cortina Winter Games
Record Crowd Witnesses U.S. Para Ice Hockey Team’s Dominating Win Over Italy
MILANO-CORTINA, Italy – The opening match of the Para ice hockey tournament at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games saw a record-breaking crowd of 8,992 spectators pack the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, witnessing a commanding performance by the United States against the host nation, Italy. Despite a spirited start from the Italians, the U.S. Ultimately prevailed with a final score of 14-1.
The attendance figure shattered the previous Paralympic record of 8,462, set at the Salt Lake City Games in during the gold medal match. It also surpassed the attendance high of 8,600 recorded at the World Para Ice Hockey Championship in Czechia, underscoring the growing popularity and visibility of the sport.
“This attendance record is a great source of pride for Milano-Cortina 2026 and for the entire Paralympic movement,” said Andrea Varnier, CEO of the local organizing committee. “The energy and engagement we are experiencing across our venues demonstrate just how powerful and inspiring Paralympic sports can be. Seeing nearly nine thousand people in the stands for a Para ice hockey game is a tangible sign of the Games’ lasting legacy, while celebrating talent, determination and team spirit.”
The atmosphere inside the arena was electric from the opening face-off. Italy, fueled by the enthusiastic home crowd, stunned the four-time defending champions by scoring just 25 seconds into the game. Still, the early lead proved to be short-lived as the U.S. Quickly responded and asserted its dominance.
The United States, seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive Paralympic gold medal in Para ice hockey, showcased its renowned scoring prowess and defensive solidity. While the final scoreline reflects a significant margin of victory, the game provided a valuable opportunity for the U.S. To adjust to the competition environment and gauge the intensity of the tournament.
U.S. Coach David Hoff acknowledged the impact of the enthusiastic crowd, stating, “Seeing that that was the first one that was scheduled, I thought it was really cool just because coming out of the COVID Paralympics in Beijing and not a lot of people, I figured it was going to be a lot fun in Italy. It certainly was a great environment today, really a fun start for us today in an atmosphere like this.”
Hoff further emphasized the unique experience of playing in front of such a large and passionate audience. “In sled hockey you don’t get this, with a packed house like this tonight and people out there, you know, the crowd, the cheering and everything like that. That’s cool for these guys too to play in that environment.”
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Para ice hockey competition, running from to , is being held at the newly constructed Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The arena’s state-of-the-art design is intended to highlight the speed and physicality inherent in the sport.
The tournament format consists of two preliminary-round groups of four teams each. Each team will play three round-robin games within its group, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The remaining teams will compete in classification games to determine placements from fifth to eighth.
The United States enters the competition as the top seed, boasting a remarkable record of six world titles and five Paralympic gold medals. Their consistent success over the past 26 years has established them as the dominant force in Para ice hockey. However, the team recognizes the challenges posed by a competitive field and the intensity of a short tournament where every shift and every point carries significant weight.
The U.S. Victory over Italy marks a strong start to their campaign for a fifth consecutive Paralympic title. The team will glance to build on this momentum as they navigate the preliminary round and strive for a place in the medal round. The tournament promises to deliver compelling action and emotional storylines as the world’s best Para ice hockey teams battle for Paralympic glory.