Olympic Games 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Ice Hockey Tournament in Italy
From February 5 to February 22, 2026, Italy will host the Winter Olympic Games, along with one of the most highly anticipated events on the program
When Does the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament Begin?
The men’s tournament will kick off on February 11, with the group stage concluding on February 15, following a total of 18 matches.
The knockout phase schedule is as follows:
February 17: Qualification playoff round
February 18: Quarterfinals (4 matches)
February 20: Semifinals
February 21: Bronze medal game
February 22: Final, on the day of the Closing Ceremony
Which National Teams Are Participating?
A total of 12 national teams will compete, divided into three groups:
Group A
Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France
Group B
Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C
USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
The three group winners and the best second-place team qualify directly for the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will compete in a qualification round for the four remaining quarterfinal spots.
NHL Players Return to the Olympics
The biggest news is the return of NHL players to the Olympic Games, something that did not happen in 2018 and 2022. Their participation is explicitly included in the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union.
As a result, the NHL will suspend its season from February 6 to February 26, with a complete halt to games, practices, and trades.
Who Are the Favorites for the Gold Medal?
Canada remains the clear favorite. The Canadians won gold in both Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, the last Olympics to feature full NHL participation. With iconic players such as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, Canada is hard to overlook.
Second among the contenders is the United States, led by Auston Matthews, who is already considered one of the top goal scorers of the modern era.
Sweden completes the trio of main favorites, relying on its traditionally strong defense, reliable goaltending, and deep roster.
How Will the Matches Be Played?
Each game will consist of three 20-minute periods.
Group stage: If tied, a 5-minute 3-on-3 overtime is played, followed by a shootout if needed.
Quarterfinals and semifinals: 10-minute 3-on-3 overtime, followed by a shootout if no goal is scored.
Bronze medal game and final: 20-minute overtime, with no shootout.
Group Standings Criteria
Final group rankings will be determined by:
Points
Goal difference
Goals scored
Ranking
Why Is Russia Absent?
Russia and Belarus remain excluded from the competition following a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for political reasons. This marks the second consecutive Olympics in which these countries will not be represented in team sports.
Non-NHL Players Worth Watching
While the top contenders will rely exclusively on NHL players, several European teams feature notable players from other leagues, particularly from Czechia, Switzerland, and Slovakia.
Different Rules Compared to the NHL
At the Olympic Games:
Fighting is prohibited (game misconduct penalty)
Intermissions last 15 minutes instead of 18
Each team may register 25 players
Overtime formats vary depending on the tournament stage
Smaller Ice Surface in Milan
Due to construction delays, the Santa Giulia Arena in Milan will feature an ice surface measuring 60 x 26 meters, slightly smaller than NHL standards. This is expected to influence the pace and style of play, favoring faster and more physically strong teams.
