MILAN — The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in Para ice hockey history, setting an unprecedented attendance record during its opening preliminary match. Saturday night’s high-stakes encounter between the four-time defending champions from the United States and host nation Italy attracted an extraordinary crowd of 8,992 spectators, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the venue.
This remarkable turnout not only eclipsed the previous Paralympic record of 8,462 spectators set during the gold medal match at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games but also surpassed the 2019 World Para Ice Hockey Championship attendance record of 8,600 held by the Czech Republic.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of the local organizing committee, expressed profound pride in this achievement on Sunday, stating: “This attendance record represents a tremendous source of honor for Milano Cortina 2026 and the entire Paralympic movement. The vibrant energy and enthusiastic engagement we’re witnessing across our venues powerfully demonstrate the inspirational capacity of Paralympic sports.”
Varnier further emphasized the significance of this milestone: “The presence of nearly nine thousand spectators for a Para ice hockey game serves as a concrete manifestation of the Games’ enduring legacy, while simultaneously celebrating extraordinary athletic talent, unwavering determination, and exceptional team spirit.”
The match itself delivered dramatic moments as the Italian team stunned the audience by securing an unexpected lead merely 25 seconds after the initial puck drop, triggering explosive celebrations from the home crowd. However, the experienced American squad, having dominated five of the past six Winter Paralympics tournaments, mounted a formidable comeback to ultimately claim a decisive 14-1 victory.
U.S. coach David Hoff reflected on the exceptional environment: “Considering this was the first scheduled match, I found it particularly remarkable following the COVID-affected Beijing Paralympics with limited attendance. I anticipated Italy would deliver an exceptional experience, and today’s atmosphere certainly provided a magnificent environment—a truly fantastic start for our team amidst such incredible energy.”
Hoff added: “In sled hockey, we rarely encounter packed venues like tonight’s with such passionate crowd support and enthusiastic cheering. This extraordinary environment creates a very special experience for our athletes to compete within.”