Ice hockey will be one of the main attractions at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The women’s tournament runs from February 5 to 19, while the men’s event takes place from February 11 to 22.
Both tournaments will be held on NHL-sized rinks in two modern arenas in Milan. Fans can look forward to the best players from around the world, including NHL stars, battling for Olympic gold for the first time since 2014.
The tournaments feature 10 women’s teams and 12 men’s teams, split into groups before moving to the knockout stage. Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, and other top nations return, while Italy takes part as the host country.
Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Schedule 2026
The Olympic ice hockey schedule is spread across the full two weeks of the Games, with 58 matches in total. Both men’s and women’s tournaments finish with medal games in Milan.
Women’s Tournament
- Runs from February 5 to 19, 2026
- 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)
Men’s Tournament
- Runs from February 11 to 22, 2026
- First games: Slovakia vs Finland and Sweden vs Italy 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 | 12:10 / 20:10 | 6:10 AM / 2:10 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 will be played in Milan, one of the four main clusters of the Games. Two arenas will host the action:
- Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (PalaItalia) – Main venue for medal games and major matchups, with NHL-sized ice. This state-of-the-art arena has a capacity of approximately 14,000-16,000 seats and is located in the Santa Giulia district.
- Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena – Secondary venue for group stage matches, also NHL-sized, with a capacity of approximately 5,700 seats.
Both arenas meet international standards and will give fans a modern Olympic hockey experience on NHL-sized ice surfaces, which are smaller than traditional international rinks.
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 | Group B | Group C |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Finland | United States |
| Czechia | Sweden | Germany |
| Switzerland | Slovakia | Latvia |
| France | Italy | Denmark |
Women’s Ice Hockey Groups
| Group A (Top Seeds) | Group B |
|---|---|
| United States | Japan |
| Canada | Sweden |
| Finland | Germany |
| Czechia | France |
| Switzerland | Italy (Host) |
Tournament Format
Women’s Format
- Two groups of five teams
- All five Group A teams + top three from Group B move to quarterfinals
- Knockout from quarterfinals to finals
Men’s Format
- Three groups of four teams
- Three group winners + best second-place team go directly to quarterfinals
- Remaining eight teams play qualification round on February 17 for last four quarterfinal spots
- Knockout from quarterfinals to finals
NHL Players at 2026 Olympics
For the first time since 2014, NHL stars are officially set to play at the Winter Olympics. The NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC agreed to allow participation at Milano Cortina 2026 and the 2030 Games.
In June 2025, all 12 participating countries released early six-player rosters, confirming top NHL talent for Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and more. This guarantees world-class quality and fan excitement on Olympic ice.
Some notable early roster announcements include:
- Canada: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and more
- USA: Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Matthew Tkachuk, and other top stars
- 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 are expected to be announced in early January 2026.
Historic Context
Ice hockey first appeared in the 1920 Olympics and moved to the Winter Games in 1924. Canada ruled the early years, while the Soviet Union rose to power in 1956. The 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” when the USA beat the USSR, remains one of the most famous moments in sports history.
Women’s hockey joined in 1998, and since then Canada and the USA have dominated the finals, meeting in the gold medal game in nearly every tournament.
Defending Champions
At Beijing 2022:
- Men’s Gold: Finland (won their first-ever Olympic gold medal, defeating the Russian Olympic Committee 2-1)
- Women’s Gold: Canada (defeated USA 3-2 for their fifth Olympic gold medal)
Both defending champions will return to Milan to defend their titles in 2026.
How to Watch Olympics 2026 Ice Hockey & Tickets
Broadcasting:
- United States: NBC and Peacock will provide live coverage
- Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada will broadcast all games
- Other countries: Local Olympic broadcast partners (check your region’s broadcaster)
Tickets:
- Tickets are sold exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 portal at tickets.milanocortina2026.org
- Fans are strongly advised to avoid third-party resellers to prevent fraud
Ice Hockey Winter Olympics 2026 FAQs
When does Olympic ice hockey start in 2026?
The women’s tournament begins on February 5, 2026, while the men’s event starts on 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 will the games be held?
All games will be played in Milan, Italy, at two venues: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (PalaItalia) and Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Are NHL players taking part in 2026?
Yes. NHL players are cleared to play in both the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics, marking their first Olympic participation since 2014.
Who are the defending champions?
At Beijing 2022, Finland won the men’s gold medal and Canada won the women’s gold medal. Both will defend their titles in Milan.
What size ice surface will be used?
Both arenas will feature NHL-sized ice surfaces, which are smaller than traditional international rinks (200 feet × 85 feet vs. 200 feet × 98 feet).
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 portal. Fans should avoid third-party resellers.
Ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics promises fast action, star players, and packed arenas in Milan. With NHL talent back for the first time in 12 years, rivalries like USA vs Canada, Finland vs Sweden, and Canada vs USA will bring world-class drama on Olympic ice.
Fans can expect two weeks of unforgettable hockey action as the world’s best compete for gold.
