CTS EVENTIM Opens Italy’s Largest and Most Advanced Indoor Arena in Milano Ahead of the Winter Olympics

CTS EVENTIM Opens Italy’s Largest and Most Advanced Indoor Arena in Milano Ahead of the Winter Olympics

(IN BRIEF) CTS EVENTIM has opened Italy’s largest and most innovative indoor arena in Milano, initially operating as the “Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena” for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, with its debut marked by a women’s ice hockey match between Italy and France. Built in an exceptionally short timeframe since its groundbreaking in November 2023, the state-of-the-art venue meets all Olympic standards and features a striking design highlighted by Europe’s largest LED media façade of its kind. After the Games, the arena will transition into the “Unipol Dome,” becoming a flagship venue for major concerts and sporting events, with its official opening scheduled for 6 May featuring a performance by Ligabue, as CTS EVENTIM celebrates the successful delivery of a landmark cultural and entertainment hub for Milano.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN/HAMBURG, 7-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — CTS EVENTIM has inaugurated Italy’s largest and most advanced indoor arena for live entertainment and sports, marking a major milestone for the city just ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The venue, temporarily named the “Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena” for the duration of the Games, opened with a women’s Olympic ice hockey preliminary match between Italy and France, demonstrating its readiness for world-class competition.

Developed and soon to be operated by CTS EVENTIM, the arena represents a significant addition to Milano’s cultural and sporting infrastructure and reinforces the city’s status as a leading European destination for major events. The project moved from groundbreaking on 28 November 2023 to full operational readiness in an exceptionally short timeframe, delivering a facility that meets the stringent technical, functional, and safety standards required for Olympic use while also accommodating future large-scale productions.

Architecturally, the arena makes a bold visual statement within the urban landscape. Its distinctive form is complemented by Europe’s largest LED media façade of its kind, positioning the building as a new landmark that will shape Milano’s skyline and enhance its evening cityscape. The design combines high-impact aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, ensuring the venue stands out both visually and operationally.

Once the Olympic and Paralympic competitions conclude, the arena will transition into its permanent configuration under the name “Unipol Dome.” In this long-term role, it will serve as a central hub for international concert tours, major live entertainment productions, and top-tier sporting events. The venue has been designed with extensive premium seating, hospitality suites, and backstage facilities to deliver a high-quality experience for artists, promoters, and audiences alike.

The official public launch of the Unipol Dome is scheduled for 6 May, when Italian rock icon Ligabue will perform a landmark opening concert. This event is intended to symbolise the shift from the arena’s Olympic debut to its future as a cornerstone of Milano’s cultural and urban life.

Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of CTS EVENTIM, described the opening as an extraordinary achievement, highlighting the speed and precision with which the project was delivered. He emphasised that hosting Olympic and Paralympic events at the venue for the first time is a testament to its quality and operational excellence, and expressed enthusiasm for celebrating the Unipol Dome’s official inauguration alongside partners in May.

ABOUT CTS EVENTIM

CTS EVENTIM is the number one provider of ticketing services in Europe and number two in the world. Over 300 million tickets per year are marketed using the Company’s systems – through mobile/online portals and physical box offices. According to Pollstar’s global rankings for 2024, the EVENTIM Group is the second-biggest promoter in the world. In addition, CTS EVENTIM operates some of Europe’s most renowned venues. CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE 0005470306) has been listed on the stock exchange since 2000 and is a member of the MDAX segment. In 2024, the Group generated revenue of EUR 2.8 billion across more than 25 countries.

Media Contacts:

Christian Colmorgen
Vice President Corporate Communications
christian.colmorgen@eventim.de

Investor Relation:

Marco Haeckermann
Vice President Corporate Development & Strategy
marco.haeckermann@eventim.de

SOURCE: CTS EVENTIM