Palaghiaccio di Pergine

The arena in Pergine Valsugana does not host football, yet its history is marked by a shift from local sport to international stage. Palaghiaccio di Pergine opened on January 1, 1993. It hosted matches for A.S.D. Hockey Pergine and Hockey Club Piné A.S.D.

The building changed character in 2013. It was selected to host women's ice hockey at the 2013 Winter Universiade, an event that brought global attention to the small town. Local reports often cite a figure closer to 1,500 spectators. The discrepancy in official numbers is minor compared to the significance of the event itself.

Beyond sport, the venue has hosted major concerts, including Max Pezzali’s 2016 tour. The artificial surface and steel structure remain functional, a pragmatic choice for a region where ice sports are popular but funding for large-scale reconstruction is limited. The arena sits near the town centre, accessible via Via Al Ponte 1/a, but its identity is defined more by the events held within than its architecture.

It is not a temple of sport. It is a working hall, one of several in Italy that have alternated between regional leagues and international competitions. The Universiade was its peak, a moment when the local ice rink became part of a worldwide athletic calendar. Since then, it has returned to its primary function: providing a surface for hockey players and a roof for concertgoers.

It serves the city of Pergine Valsugana, a place where winter sports are part of the culture but never the sole focus. The capacity figures are secondary to the fact that the arena still operates, still hosts matches, and still remembers the noise of the 2013 crowds.