In the beating heart of Milan, in the transforming district of Santa Giulia, a structure destined to redefine the landscape of sports and cultural events in Italy is rising: the Santa Giulia Arena, also known as PalaItalia. This ambitious project, signed by British architect David Chipperfield in collaboration with engineering firm Arup, represents one of the most significant works ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
A project with an international scope
The Santa Giulia Arena is designed as a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility, capable of accommodating up to 16,000 spectators. With a total area of about 77,000 square meters spread over eight levels, the arena will be the main stage for ice hockey competitions during the Olympics and for luge field field hockey in the Paralympics. But its vocation does not end with the Olympic event: the arena is destined to become a focal point for concerts, performances and cultural events of international significance.
A construction site in turmoil
Construction work is proceeding at a rapid pace. Every day, some 500 workers are working on shifts, including night shifts, to meet the schedule that calls for delivery of the work by October 2025, in time for testing and final outfitting for the Games. Operations have included the construction of 25-meter-deep foundations, environmental remediation, and the creation of access infrastructure coordinated by the area's main developer, Lendlease.
An evolving neighborhood
The arena is part of the larger redevelopment of the Santa Giulia neighborhood, a 1.1 million-square-meter area that will include new residences, services, green spaces and infrastructure. The neighborhood, when completed, will be home to up to 60,000 residents and will include stores, recreational areas, hotels, offices, a convention center, a school and a church designed by architect Peter Zumthor. The area will be well connected to the rest of the city thanks to its proximity to the Milano Rogoredo train station and the future tramway line envisioned by the urban planning project.
What will happen to this arena after the Olympics?
After the Olympics, the Santa Giulia Arena will not only be a memory of the Games, but will continue to live on as one of the main centers for sports and cultural events in Italy. With an already planned schedule of more than 100 events including concerts and events, the arena will help consolidate Milan as a European capital of entertainment and culture.
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