The rivalry between the United States and Canada will reach a fever pitch early Sunday morning as the two nations clash for the gold medal in men’s hockey at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. While the game will be played in Italy, the excitement is reverberating across North America, with bars and restaurants bracing for a packed house as fans prepare to cheer on their teams.
The puck is scheduled to drop at at 8:10 a.m. Local time in Milan, which translates to a very early start for viewers in both the U.S. And Canada. Despite the unusual hour, enthusiasm is high, with many establishments already fully booked.
“We opened reservations as soon as the match [against Finland] ended Friday,” said Kevin Beaudry, CEO of La Cage Brasserie Sportive du Center Bell. “In 15 minutes it was full.” Beaudry anticipates an “electrifying atmosphere” as Canada looks to secure the gold.
Canada enters the final after navigating a challenging path through the knockout stage, defeating the Czech Republic in overtime in the quarterfinals and then edging Finland in a tight semifinal contest. The team’s captain, Sidney Crosby, is a key storyline heading into the game, having left the quarterfinal match with an injury and missing the semifinal. His status for the gold medal game remains uncertain, but his potential return would provide a significant boost to the Canadian squad.
The United States also enjoyed an undefeated run through the preliminary rounds, but faced a scare in the quarterfinals against Sweden, ultimately winning in overtime thanks to a goal from Quinn Hughes. They followed that up with a dominant performance against Slovakia in the semifinals, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with their northern rivals.
The early start hasn’t dampened spirits, but some are bracing for a tense beginning to the game. Beaudry expects a bit of nervousness at the outset, given Canada’s close calls in their previous two matches. “It’s our national pride, it’s our sport,” he explained, underscoring the significance of the rivalry.
Across Canada, bars are preparing for a supercharged atmosphere. At the Bruno Sport Bar, staff were already fielding reservation requests Saturday morning. While the bar will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, bartender and waitress Sophie Doyle anticipated a large crowd, arriving for work at 7 a.m. To prepare for the influx of fans. Additional staff will be on hand to manage the expected demand.
“We expect to receive a lot of people,” Doyle said, adding she was “very feverish” and knew it was going to be “magical.”
Several restaurants are adapting to the early game time by offering brunch service. BLVD, in Châteaugay, will be offering a full brunch menu, complete with “real maple syrup” and, of course, beer. Jennifer Dupont, a waitress at BLVD, noted this is the first time the restaurant has opened so early, but they successfully tested the brunch formula during the semifinal against Finland.
Miller, a bar in the Village, is also offering a brunch for the occasion, with reservations already full for a week, even before Canada qualified for the final. Co-owner Dominique Monette expressed excitement about the success, while acknowledging the early wake-up call. “We’re really happy that it’s working, but we’re definitely going to have to get up early,” he laughed.
In the United States, similar scenes are unfolding. Several Chicago-area bars have announced they will be opening early to accommodate fans eager to watch the game live. The men’s gold medal game marks a chance for the U.S. To end a long gold medal drought in men’s hockey, having last won in 1980 during the “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid. Team USA also has a point to prove, having lost to Canada in the final in 2010.
“It definitely motivates us,” Team USA’s Zach Werenski said. “We’ve talked about it. We’re well aware of it. I don’t think it’s pressure. It’s fun. It’s exciting.”
The game features a clash of NHL superstars, with both teams boasting rosters filled with some of the league’s top talent. U.S. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning NHL MVP, has been a standout performer for the Americans, stopping 90 of 95 shots faced. His performance will be crucial if the U.S. Hopes to secure the gold.
Regardless of the outcome, Sunday’s gold medal game promises to be a memorable event, not only for the players and fans involved, but for hockey enthusiasts around the world. The winner will earn bragging rights for the next four years, and etch their names into Olympic hockey history.
