Ice hockey is now underway at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with the women’s tournament already in action since February 5. The men’s event begins February 11, bringing NHL stars back to Olympic ice for the first time since 2014.
The women’s tournament runs through February 19, while the men’s competition concludes February 22. Both tournaments are being held on NHL-sized rinks in two modern arenas in Milan, featuring the world’s best players competing for Olympic gold.
The tournaments feature 10 women’s teams and 12 men’s teams, split into groups before advancing to knockout rounds. Hockey powerhouses Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland are joined by host nation Italy and other top competitors.
Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Schedule 2026
The Olympic ice hockey schedule spans two full weeks with 58 matches total. Both men’s and women’s tournaments finish with medal games in Milan.
Women’s Tournament (NOW LIVE)
- Started February 5, 2026 – Runs through February 19
- Gold medal game: February 19 at 19:10 CET (1:10 PM ET)
- Bronze medal game: February 19 at 14:40 CET (8:40 AM ET)
- Current stage: Group stage matches (February 5-10)
Men’s Tournament (Starts February 11)
- Runs from February 11 to 22, 2026
- Opening games: Slovakia vs Finland (16:40 CET/10:40 AM ET) and Sweden vs Italy (21:10 CET/3:10 PM ET) on February 11
- Gold medal game: February 22 at 14:10 CET (8:10 AM ET)
- Bronze medal game: February 21 at 14:40 CET (8:40 AM ET)
Women’s Ice Hockey Schedule (Feb 5–19, 2026)
| Date | Match Highlights | Time (CET) | Time (ET) | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Feb 5 | Opening Games: Sweden vs Germany, Italy vs France, USA vs Czechia, Finland vs Canada | 12:10 / 14:40 / 16:40 / 21:10 | 6:10 AM / 8:40 AM / 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Group Stage |
| Feb 6–10 | Daily group stage matches | Various (12:10–21:10) | 6:10 AM–3:10 PM | Group Stage |
| Fri, Feb 13 | Quarterfinals (Games 1 & 2) | 16:40 / 21:10 | 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Knockout |
| Sat, Feb 14 | Quarterfinals (Games 3 & 4) | 16:40 / 21:10 | 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Knockout |
| Mon, Feb 16 | Semifinals | 16:40 / 21:10 | 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Knockout |
| Thu, Feb 19 | Bronze Medal Game | 14:40 | 8:40 AM | Medal |
| Thu, Feb 19 | Gold Medal Game | 19:10 | 1:10 PM | Medal |
Men’s Ice Hockey Schedule (Feb 11–22, 2026)
| Date | Match Highlights | Time (CET) | Time (ET) | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Feb 11 | Slovakia vs Finland / Sweden vs Italy | 16:40 / 21:10 | 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Group Stage |
| Feb 12–15 | Daily group stage matches | Various (12:10–21:10) | 6:10 AM–3:10 PM | Group Stage |
| Tue, Feb 17 | Qualification Playoffs (4 games) | 12:10 / 12:10 / 16:40 / 21:10 | 6:10 AM / 6:10 AM / 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Playoff Round |
| Wed, Feb 18 | Quarterfinals (4 games) | 12:10 / 14:10 / 16:40 / 21:10 | 6:10 AM / 8:10 AM / 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Knockout |
| Fri, Feb 20 | Semifinals | 16:40 / 21:10 | 10:40 AM / 3:10 PM | Knockout |
| Sat, Feb 21 | Bronze Medal Game | 14:40 | 8:40 AM | Medal |
| Sun, Feb 22 | Gold Medal Game | 14:10 | 8:10 AM | Medal |
Also check: Winter Olympics 2026 full Schedule
Olympics 2026 Ice Hockey Venues
All Olympic ice hockey games at Milano Cortina 2026 are being played in Milan, one of the four main clusters of the Games. Two arenas are hosting the action:
Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (PalaItalia) – Main venue for medal games and major matchups, featuring NHL-sized ice. This state-of-the-art arena seats approximately 14,000-16,000 and is located in the Santa Giulia district.
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena – Secondary venue for group stage matches, also NHL-sized, with capacity of approximately 5,700 seats.
Both arenas meet international standards and provide a modern Olympic hockey experience on NHL-sized ice surfaces (200 feet × 85 feet), which are smaller than traditional international rinks (200 feet × 98 feet).
Teams & Qualification
Women’s Ice Hockey (10 Teams)
- Canada
- United States
- Finland
- Czechia
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Sweden
- Germany
- France
- Italy (host)
Men’s Ice Hockey (12 Teams)
- Canada
- United States
- Finland
- Sweden
- Czechia
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Slovakia
- Latvia
- Denmark
- France
- Italy (host)
Russia and Belarus remain suspended from the tournament, which opened the way for France to claim the final spot in both tournaments.
Group Stage Draw
Men’s Ice Hockey Groups
- Group A: Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, France
- Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
- Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Women’s Ice Hockey Groups
- Group A (Top Seeds): United States, Canada, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland
- Group B: Japan, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy (Host)
Tournament Format
Women’s Format
- Two groups of five teams each
- All five Group A teams plus top three from Group B advance to quarterfinals
- Single-elimination knockout from quarterfinals through finals
Men’s Format
- Three groups of four teams each
- Three group winners plus best second-place team advance directly to quarterfinals
- Remaining eight teams play qualification round on February 17 for last four quarterfinal spots
- Single-elimination knockout from quarterfinals through finals
NHL Players at 2026 Olympics
For the first time since 2014, NHL stars are competing at the Winter Olympics. The NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC reached an agreement allowing NHL participation at Milano Cortina 2026 and the 2030 Games.
In June 2025, all 12 participating countries announced early six-player rosters, confirming elite NHL talent would represent Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and other nations. This ensures world-class competition and maximum fan excitement on Olympic ice.
Notable roster announcements include:
- Canada: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar
- USA: Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk
- Finland: Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Juuse Saros
- Sweden: Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, William Nylander
- Germany: Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider
Full rosters were finalized in early January 2026.
Historic Context
Ice hockey debuted at the 1920 Summer Olympics before moving to the Winter Games in 1924. Canada dominated early tournaments, while the Soviet Union emerged as a powerhouse starting in 1956. The 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” when Team USA defeated the USSR, remains one of sports’ most iconic moments.
Women’s hockey was added in 1998. Since then, Canada and the USA have dominated, meeting in the gold medal game in nearly every Olympic tournament.
Defending Champions
At Beijing 2022:
- Men’s Gold: Finland defeated the Russian Olympic Committee 2-1 to win their first-ever Olympic gold medal
- Women’s Gold: Canada defeated USA 3-2 to capture their fifth Olympic gold medal
Both defending champions are back in Milan to defend their titles in 2026.
How to Watch Olympics 2026 Ice Hockey Live
Broadcasting Options:
- United States: NBC and Peacock provide live coverage of all games
- Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada broadcasts complete tournament coverage
- International: Check your region’s official Olympic broadcast partner for local coverage
Streaming: Most broadcasters offer streaming through their apps and websites for authenticated subscribers.
Olympics 2026 Ice Hockey Tickets
Tickets are sold exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 portal at tickets.milanocortina2026.org. Availability varies by session, and fans should purchase only from official sources.
Warning: Avoid third-party resellers and unauthorized ticket sites to prevent fraud and invalid tickets.
Ice Hockey Winter Olympics 2026 FAQs
When does Olympic ice hockey start in 2026?
The women’s tournament started February 5, 2026, and is currently underway. The men’s tournament begins February 11, 2026.
How many teams are playing in Olympic ice hockey?
There are 10 teams in the women’s tournament and 12 teams in the men’s tournament.
Where are the games being held?
All games are played in Milan, Italy, at two venues: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (PalaItalia) and Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Are NHL players competing in 2026?
Yes. NHL players are participating in both the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics, marking their first Olympic appearance since 2014.
Who are the defending champions?
Finland defends the men’s gold medal from Beijing 2022, while Canada defends the women’s gold medal.
What size ice surface is being used?
Both arenas feature NHL-sized ice (200 feet × 85 feet), which is smaller than traditional international rinks (200 feet × 98 feet).
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 portal at tickets.milanocortina2026.org. Purchase only from official sources.
What time are the medal games?
The women’s gold medal game is February 19 at 19:10 CET (1:10 PM ET), and the men’s gold medal game is February 22 at 14:10 CET (8:10 AM ET).
Ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivers fast-paced action, elite NHL talent, and packed arenas in Milan. With the women’s tournament already underway and the men’s event starting February 11, fans worldwide are watching classic rivalries like USA vs Canada, Finland vs Sweden, and Canada vs USA unfold on Olympic ice.
The return of NHL stars after a 12-year absence makes Milano Cortina 2026 a historic Olympic hockey tournament. Two weeks of unforgettable competition will determine which nations claim gold in Milan.
