The Olympic tournament for the Finnish ice hockey team, the Leijonat, kicks off on Wednesday in Milan against Slovakia, drawing many Finnish fans to the Santa Giulia arena. Despite Milan generally having lower prices for food and drinks compared to Finland, the prices for beer at the tournament venue have raised eyebrows among fans, showcasing 'real event pricing' that reflects the high demand and the festive atmosphere of the Olympics.

At the arena, beer is sold exclusively in 0.31-liter aluminum bottles priced at seven euros each, which translates to an approximate cost of 11.3 euros for a half-liter serving. This pricing is notably higher than what fans have experienced during World Championship tournaments in previous years, where prices ranged from about eight euros for half a liter in Stockholm to as low as 3.6 euros for a smaller serving in the Czech Republic. Such price hikes suggest a trend in sporting events where venues capitalize on the influx of fans willing to pay more for refreshments.

The sharp increase in beverage prices raises concerns among fans, especially when remembering the costs at the last World Championships held in Tampere, where equivalent beer servings were deemed excessive at a minimum of 9.2 euros. As Finnish fans descend upon Milan, the reactions to these high prices are expected to be mixed, sparking conversations around the affordability of amenities at international events.