The International Ice Hockey Federation unveiled the calendar of male and female tournaments on Tuesday at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina.
Female hockey begins on February 5 with the United States against Cychy and Canada against Finland among the opening matches. The United States and Canada renew their rivalry during the preliminary round on February 10, and the golden medal game is scheduled for February 19.
Men’s hockey, with the return of NHL players, opens the next day with Finland against Slovakia and welcomes Italy against Sweden. Without Russia in the field of 12 teams, the United States is gathered with Germany, Latvia and Denmark and will play each of them in a round.
The United States opened on February 12 against Latvia, the same day that Canada faces the Cheche. The best in the NHL has participated for the first time since 2014 in Sochi.
“It’s great that NHL players are back at the Olympic Games,” said US Managing Director Bill Guerin. “Obviously, it is the biggest sports scene in the world, and we are all happy that we are back.”
No team is eliminated from the group game on the male side. The first four come forward in the quarterfinals, the other eight participating in a qualification round.
The games will take place on the NHL skating rinks in the arenas of Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho. The final is scheduled for February 22 as the last event of the Olympic Games before the closing ceremony.
The calendar exit one day after the federations involved announced the first six players appointed to their respective lists. The United States has chosen all the skaters: attackers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel and defenders Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy.
Finland is the title Olympic champion of the Beijing Bulle in 2022, when the NHL withdrew due to planning problems linked to the pandemic, and the Russians won in 2018. Canada won the last two NHL players, and Director Doug Armstrong hopes for a third.
“I am enthusiastic about our group,” said Armstrong. “I know that our group wants to go there and wants to advance its best foot. There is no guarantee in this sport, but I know that we are going to go with the right attitude.”
