Super Bowl Announcer Races to Milan Olympics After Big Game

Alan Roach, the familiar voice of major sporting events, made it to Italy just in time to call hockey games at the Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Alan Roach, the public address announcer for the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Vikings, is a veteran of major sporting events like the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. After calling the Super Bowl on Sunday in Santa Clara, California, Roach boarded a red-eye flight and arrived in Milan, Italy just in time to announce hockey games at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

Why it matters

Roach's ability to seamlessly transition between high-profile sporting events showcases the skill and dedication required to be a top announcer. His schedule highlights the logistical challenges of covering multiple major events in a short timeframe, as well as the passion Roach has for his craft.

The details

Roach took a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Newark after the Super Bowl, then connected to Milan, landing at 7am on Tuesday. Just hours later, he was rinkside announcing the United States' 5-0 win over Canada in a women's preliminary hockey game. Roach said the quick turnaround was stressful, but he felt great once he arrived in Italy and was ready to call games, despite the time difference.

  • Roach called the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 9, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
  • Roach boarded a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Newark just 5 hours after the Super Bowl ended.
  • Roach landed in Milan, Italy at 7am on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Roach announced the USA vs Canada women's hockey game on Tuesday evening in Milan.

The players

Alan Roach

A veteran public address announcer who has worked major sporting events like the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and FIFA World Cup.

Mike Tirico

The play-by-play announcer for the Super Bowl who also hosts the Olympics coverage on NBC.

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What they’re saying

“In hindsight, I don't know why I didn't poke around at NBC, because I'm guessing they probably had some sort of flight that went directly from San Francisco.”

— Alan Roach, Public Address Announcer (New York Times)

“Thankfully, I had some lay down seats and I got good sleep. So I made it to Canada-U.S., and that was pretty good way to burst out of the box.”

— Alan Roach, Public Address Announcer (New York Times)

What’s next

Roach will continue to announce hockey games throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The takeaway

Alan Roach's ability to seamlessly transition between high-profile sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics showcases the skill, dedication, and passion required to be a top announcer in the industry.