When I was accepted into the CIMBA program, I knew there was one experience I couldn’t miss: the Olympics. I remember looking up the 2026 Winter Olympics on Google Maps and realizing that Milan was only about two and a half hours from Paderno. That was all the motivation we needed.
When a flash sale popped up on the official Milano Cortina 2026 website, we quickly grabbed tickets to a women’s hockey game between France and Sweden. With the game scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 p.m., we planned an entire weekend in Milan around it.
Getting There (and Getting Around)
On Friday night, we took a taxi to Venice and then caught two connecting trains to Milan. Once we arrived, getting around the city was surprisingly easy. We relied entirely on public transportation, buses and the subway, and each ride cost less than five euros. If you’re planning to explore multiple areas of the city, I highly recommend purchasing the 24- or 48-hour transportation pass. Milan is a large city, and having unlimited access makes everything much smoother.
The City in Olympic Mode
From the moment we stepped out of the train station, it was clear the Olympics had taken over the city. A giant Olympic sign stood proudly outside, and the Italian flag was projected across the station. “Milan Cortina” glowed from the sides of buildings, and Olympic logos were scattered in stores and on signs.
The streets were packed. People walked around wearing their national flags, hockey jerseys, and fresh Olympic merchandise. The energy was contagious. At one point, we even spotted legendary snowboarder Shaun White while browsing through a store — a surreal moment that made everything feel even more real. I have no doubt we passed several other athletes without even realizing it.
Game Day at Rho Hockey Arena
After a weekend of sightseeing and shopping, we took the subway to the Rho Hockey Arena on Sunday afternoon. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Security staff and volunteers greeted us with smiles and directed us toward the arena. Even with our travel backpacks, they made the entry process easy.
Walking into the stadium was surreal. We were among the first to arrive, yet the energy was already building. The sounds of French and Swedish filled the air, with bits of English scattered throughout. The row in front of us wore bright yellow Swedish jerseys, while the row behind us proudly sported French colors and spoke rapid French. Nearby, we saw a few USA jerseys and even a group of Dutch fans dressed head-to-toe in bright orange, clearly enjoying every second.
The Game and the Global Energy
The game itself was intense. This marked the first Olympic appearance for the French women’s hockey team, while Sweden entered as seasoned veterans. The matchup was physical, with both teams spending plenty of time in the penalty box. The French fans chanted enthusiastically, and the Swedish supporters responded just as loudly. When Sweden scored, their national anthem played and the entire Swedish section sang in unison.
Between plays, the arena blasted songs like Enter Sandman by Metallica, We Will Rock You by Queen, and Dancing Queen by ABBA. What surprised me most was how universally loved these songs were. When Y.M.C.A. started playing, I expected only a few people to participate. Instead, the entire arena joined in, singing and doing the motions together. I had always thought of that as a uniquely American tradition, it proved to be much more global.
More Than a Game
What struck me most was how simple it all was. Different countries, different languages, but the same reactions, the same songs, the same energy. Sweden ultimately won the game, but the outcome felt almost secondary to the experience itself.
I don’t remember the exact score as clearly as I remember the atmosphere. That’s what made the experience so memorable.
Ciao,
Lainy