Paris Bids to Host 2030 Winter Ice Hockey in Adidas and Accor Arenas

TL;DR Paris Entertainment Company has bid to hold 2030 Winter Games ice hockey at the Adidas Arena and Accor Arena, while Nice’s mayor opposes using the Allianz Arena and the sports minister looks for other sites.

Context The Paris Entertainment Company, which runs the Adidas Arena and Accor Arena, submitted a proposal to stage ice hockey events for the 2020 Winter Games in France. Both arenas were used during the 2024 Paris Olympics and together drew more than 500,000 spectators across various competitions. In contrast, Nice’s Allianz Arena would need to be converted into a temporary rink, a plan that Mayor Eric Ciotti has rejected.

Key Facts The bid names the Adidas Arena and Accor Arena as the preferred venues for ice hockey. Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti opposes holding ice hockey events at the Allianz Arena, which would be turned into a temporary rink. French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said she is working with 2030 Games organizers to find alternative venues for ice hockey in Nice or elsewhere.

What It Means Using existing indoor arenas reduces construction costs and leverages proven infrastructure from the 2024 Games. The opposition in Nice highlights a split between hosting snow sports in mountain resorts and skating events in urban settings, similar to the model planned for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. The sports minister’s search for alternatives suggests the final venue list may shift before the IOC’s June decision.

What to watch next The IOC will confirm the official list of sports and venues in June, which will determine whether ice hockey stays in Paris, moves to another French city, or is adjusted to accommodate Nice’s concerns.