To provide a boost for Milan-Cortina’s 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, it has been announced that an agreement with Oak View Group has signed to build and operate a proposed new ice hockey arena.
OVG, which is a global venue development company that has worked on the likes of Key Arena in Seattle, has signed a Heads of Terms agreement that would see it partner with Live Nation to construct and run the privately funded project in the Santa Guilia area of Milan, Italy.
The agreement was made with Risanamento and Lendlease, and it represents a major boost to the country’s hopes of securing the 2026 Games. The Santa Giulia Arena is Oak View Group’s first project outside the United States and follows the launch of OVG International in March this year.
“We’re delighted to announce our first European partnership, bringing a state-of-the-art entertainment facility to Milan. The new arena will be an exciting addition for the city and an important part of hosting what would be an inspiring 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Tim Leiweke, co-founder and chief executive of Oak View Group.
“Oak View Group and Live Nation have years of experience working together and are the ideal partners to deliver and run the Santa Giulia Arena.”