A straight flight from Toronto, Canada, to Milan, Italy, spans around 4,120 miles (6,630 kilometers). This journey would last approximately eight hours and cost hundreds or thousands of dollars (depending on airline and seats).
But Canadian hockey fans still undertook this long trip to watch Team Canada compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics. And so did fans from other countries around the world.
What challenges do you need to be aware of when traveling internationally for hockey games? What are the most important points to consider to stay safe while abroad?
Below, we’ll answer these questions and explore stories of fans who traveled to Milano Cortina to catch the action.
International Hockey Fans Traveling to Milano Cortina 2026
One of the most amazing stories of hockey fans traveling to the 2026 WInter Olympics involves a group from Winnipeg. For these friends, flying to Milano Cortina to watch Team Canada compete was a personal mission.
The Winnipeg locals have known Carolina Hurricanes player Seth Jarvis since they were children. After Jarvis was chosen to replace Team Canada’s Brayden Point at the Winter Olympics, his friends wanted to support him.
However, the group had a long way to go to get there. But social media users following the story rallied together to raise awareness.
After seeing the huge social media buzz, Air Canada offered to fly Jarvis’ friends out to Milano Cortina for free.
The friends previously made the news in 2025 after driving 30 hours to see Jarvis in the 4 Nations Face-Off. That trip took them all the way from Winnipeg to Boston, Massachusetts, US.
Without Air Canada’s gesture, Jarvis’ friends would have faced expensive flights to see their team play. They certainly couldn’t have driven from Winnipeg to Milan, especially not at short notice.
But not all hockey fans visiting Milano Cortina 2026 hailed from Canada. Travelers from across Europe also took on lengthy journeys to watch ice hockey games at Milano Cortina 2026.
One story saw a flag-bearing European couple supporting Denmark’s hockey players as they took on the US team. They held the flag of Greenland high to show their backing for Denmark’s players and Greenland in general.
Challenges of Following Your Favorite Hockey Team Around the World
The dedication that hockey fans showed at Milano Cortina 2026 highlights the commitment that the sport inspires.
However, fans may encounter a number of issues when traveling internationally to follow their team.
- High costs: The price of traveling abroad can be substantial. This includes flights, hotels, spending money, tickets to games, merch, and food.
- Securing visas: Arranging travel visas can be complex, time-consuming, and stressful.
- Scheduling time off: Taking consecutive days away from work and personal responsibilities may require a lot of negotiation.
- Physical exhaustion: International travel can be tiring. Jet lag is one possible problem to keep in mind, but navigating unfamiliar cities can sap your strength too.
- Packed itineraries: You may have multiple hockey games and other activities to fit into a short trip.
- Potential cancellations: Hockey games could be canceled or rescheduled at short notice. This would leave you in another country, possibly at great cost, without being able to watch your team play.
- Loss of connection: Being away from your home, work, and family regularly could be emotionally taxing.
Understanding these common issues can help you avoid them and plan your international trip with care. Always consider your financial, professional, and personal commitments before you make bookings. Set a strict budget for your journey and avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Following Your Hockey Team Abroad: 4 Essential Considerations
Research Your Destinations in Advance
Before you travel internationally for hockey games, always look into any country you plan to visit. Check out the local hockey scene and typical behavior among local fans.
You should also research potential security threats, upcoming national holidays, and anything else that could affect your trip.
Be Safe When Going Online
You’ll depend on public Wi-Fi while traveling, which can leave you vulnerable to various security threats.
However, one way around security issues is installing a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will let you stay updated on your favorite Canadian shows, your hockey fantasy league, and more while abroad.
With the best VPN service online for free and open internet in Canada, you have the freedom to consume homegrown media wherever you are. A VPN will encrypt your data to keep your connection secure and protect sensitive information.
Staying in touch with family and friends is also important on the road. But if you’re worried about using communications tools while you’re away, a VPN will also help keep your conversations secure.
Creating a safe connection is crucial when using public Wi-Fi at a hotel, a park, or at a sports venue. The VPN will add an extra layer of security and minimize the risk of others intercepting your data.
Watch Out for Each Other
Whether traveling as a couple or with a group of friends, take care of one another. Remind yourselves to respect local customs and avoid offending people with unwelcome behavior.
If you know one person in your group can be difficult at times, keep a close eye on them. You may even need to question whether they’re too much of a liability to take on your hockey adventure.
Make Sure Your Tickets are Legit
Always buy your hockey tickets in advance from an official seller. Avoid buying them from a person on the street at the last minute. You never know if those tickets will be legitimate. Buying fake tickets will waste money and deny you access to the game you’ve traveled so far to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Wherever you go to watch a hockey game abroad, always do it safely. Take precautions to protect your devices and data (e.g., with a VPN), and plan your trip with care. Look into the type of reception you can expect at the home team’s arena and always be respectful.
With in-depth preparation, you can make your hockey-based trip one to remember.
