Olympic Hockey Schedule: Team USA & Dates
- The international Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has released the schedule for the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy....
- 5, with the United States facing Czechia and Canada playing Finland in the opening matchups.
- Men's hockey begins the following day, Feb.6, with Finland taking on slovakia and host nation Italy squaring off against Sweden.
The 2026 Olympic hockey schedule is here, and NHL players are back! Get ready for the ice hockey tournaments in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The U.S. women’s team steps onto the ice on February 5th against Czechia, while the men’s team begins against Latvia on February 12th.This marks the first time as 2014 that NHL players will compete for Olympic gold. see key dates, including the U.S. men’s schedule against Germany and Denmark in the round-robin. News Directory 3 has your complete guide to the games, from the opening matchups to the gold-medal games on February 19th and 22nd. Discover what’s next when Finland, the defending champion, hits the ice.
2026 Olympic Hockey Schedule Released; NHL Players Return
Updated June 18, 2025
The international Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has released the schedule for the men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The announcement marks the return of National Hockey League players to the Olympic stage for the first time since the 2014 Sochi games.
The women’s tournament kicks off Feb. 5, with the United States facing Czechia and Canada playing Finland in the opening matchups. A preliminary-round rivalry game between the U.S. and Canada is slated for Feb. 10. The gold-medal game will be played Feb. 19.
Men’s hockey begins the following day, Feb.6, with Finland taking on slovakia and host nation Italy squaring off against Sweden. The United States,without russia in the 12-team field,will compete in a round-robin format against Germany,Latvia,and Denmark.
The U.S. men’s team opens its olympic campaign Feb. 12 against Latvia. On the same day, Canada will face Czechia. All games will be played on NHL-sized rinks at Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho arenas.
General Manager Bill Guerin expressed enthusiasm about the return of NHL players. “It’s great that the NHL players are back in the Olympics,” Guerin saeid. “Obviously it’s the biggest sports stage in the world, and we’re all happy we’re back involved.”
In the men’s tournament, no teams are eliminated during group play.The top four teams advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight participate in a qualification round.
The gold-medal game is scheduled for Feb.22, serving as the final event before the Olympic closing ceremony.
The schedule announcement followed the unveiling of the first six players named to the U.S. roster: forwards Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, and Jack Eichel, along with defensemen Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy.
Finland enters the tournament as the defending Olympic champion, having won gold in Beijing in 2022 after the NHL withdrew due to pandemic-related scheduling concerns. The Russians won in 2018. Canada seeks to add to its legacy,having won the two previous Olympics with NHL participation.
Canada’s GM, Doug Armstrong, voiced his optimism. “I’m excited about our group,” armstrong said. “I know our group wants to go there and wants to put their best foot forward. There’s no guarantees in this sport, but I know we’re going to go with the right attitude.”
What’s next
Hockey enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the 2026 Winter Olympics, anticipating fierce competition and memorable moments as the world’s best players compete for gold.