MILAN — Chloe Kim and Tyson Hepburn draped a Canadian flag over their shoulders like a cape outside the Olympic hockey venue here, posing for photos amid a growing throng of red-and-white clad supporters. The Vancouver newlyweds, fresh off their August wedding, detoured from their multi-city honeymoon to grab last-minute tickets on a flight from Dubai. “200 euros per person, that’s $323,” Hepburn said. “Not too expensive at all.”

Hepburn, a die-hard hockey follower, couldn’t resist the impulse buy. The couple now plans to tote the flag through every stop on their trip, turning sightseeing into a patriotic parade. “We’re seeing Milan at the perfect time for the Olympics,” Hepburn added. Their enthusiasm mirrors a broader rush by Canadians to Italy’s fashion capital, where 2026 Winter Games organizers have set up advance ticket sales for high-demand events like hockey.

Kelsey Schade from Winnipeg called her Milan journey a total surprise. Her boyfriend secretly purchased tickets to the men’s hockey final one December night, transforming a distant fantasy into reality. “It kind of forced us to go,” Schade laughed. The lifelong fan rerouted their itinerary through Paris to visit family, landing in Milan surrounded by fellow Canadians in red jerseys, flags aloft. “Feels like a home game,” she said. “The atmosphere is crazy.”

Schade’s group blends into a sea of supporters who’ve traveled thousands of kilometers for the bargains. Olympic tickets often carry premiums, but these Milan prices undercut typical NHL regular-season fares back home, according to multiple fans on site. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the 2026 hockey tournaments, with the men’s final slated for the PalaAlpintour arena. Sales began this week, prompting fans to line up early despite chilly February weather.

Organizers report brisk business from international buyers, especially North Americans eyeing Team Canada’s medal prospects. “Hockey remains the top seller,” one official said. Canadians like Kim, Hepburn and Schade represent just a slice of the early arrivals, many combining ticket hunts with Italian vacations. Lines snaked around the sales center Tuesday, with fans clutching passports and credit cards. Some waited hours; others scored seats online but came to soak up the buzz.

Beyond the deals, the trip offers extras. Schade savored gelato between chants of “Go Canada!” while Hepburn scouted nearby cafes for post-purchase celebrations. Their stories highlight hockey’s pull on Canadian travelers, even 18 months before puck drop. As more tickets move, officials expect the influx to swell, turning Milan’s streets into temporary outposts of Maple Leaf fervor.