Milan Arena – Infrastructure and Technological Integration

Unipol Dome: The new multi-purpose Arena in Milan

The Santa Giulia Arena (officially named Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena or PalaItalia) is a large indoor multi-purpose facility located in Milan in the Santa Giulia district, designed as one of the main hubs for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The Project

The project for the new Milan Arena represents excellence in the field of facility engineering for large-scale events. In this context, Professional Show acted as General Contractor and System Integrator, going beyond simple audio/video supply to encompass the engineering and installation of critical staging infrastructures in a complex facility like this arena.

Advanced Design (BIM)

The work began with a high-level engineering approach through B.I.M. design (Building Information Modeling). This allowed to:

• Integrate every component (audio, lights, structures) into a coordinated digital model of the project.
• Ensure interoperability between the various systems and the architectural structure, reducing errors during the installation phase.

Staging Infrastructures: The Catwalk and TWG system

The core of the structural intervention involved the creation of technical pathways and suspended work surfaces:

• TWG System (Tension Wire Grid): Supply and installation of 125 customized frames, made with UNP120 perimeter profiles, to create a technical walkable grid above the main area.
• Catwalk Enterprise (CREDA360): Installation of over 1200 linear meters of aluminum catwalk.
• Aesthetics and Functionality: To ensure an elegant and discreet visual impact (essential in a modern arena), all catwalks underwent Matte Black anodization.

SAFETY and ACCESSIBILITY

As the General Contractor, safety management was integrated into every phase of the assembly process: 

• Protection Systems: GH12 modules for seamless and uniform coverage.
• Technical Access: Installation of caged ladders for moving between the various technical levels and certified aluminum rolling platform ladders.
• Certifications: Each phase of the work was completed with a declaration of correct installation, ensuring full compliance with construction site safety regulations.

Staging and Blackout Systems

The intervention also included the management of natural light and environment through mechanized systems:

• Motorized Blinds (Blackout): Supply and installation of motorized blackout systems (models KE40.20 and SI25.15) with high technical specifications for total brightness control during events.

Logistics and Site Management

The complexity of the project required massive logistics management, entirely coordinated as General Contractor:

• Use of special vehicles: rental and operation of ZX1350 (45m) aerial work platforms, 45m spider lifts, and cranes for lifting materials at height.
• Management of dedicated transport services at the MSG Arena construction site in Milan.

The development of this project at the Milan Arena demonstrates the company's ability to manage a construction site of this scale, acting as a single point of contact. From the aesthetic precision of the matte black finish on the structures, to the certified safety of the catwalks, up to the BIM integration, the work guarantees cutting-edge functionality for one of the most important multi-purpose arenas in Europe.