NHL Stars Return as Ice Hockey Takes Centre Stage at 2026 Winter Olympics

Ice hockey is set to be one of the biggest attractions at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The sport returns with full participation from NHL players for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, raising expectations for a high-quality tournament. Men’s and women’s events will both be held in Italy, with top national teams aiming for gold in a compact, single-elimination format after a short group stage. 

The men’s ice hockey tournament starts on February 11, 2026, when Slovakia faces Finland in the opening match at the Santagiulia Arena. Twelve men’s teams are split into three groups of four, with each side playing three preliminary games. After that, all 12 teams move into a knockout phase that runs through quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal games, ending with the gold-medal match on February 22. The women’s competition follows a similar structure, with eight teams battling for medals in a tight schedule. 

One of the main reasons this edition is special is the return of NHL players. In the recent Winter Olympics, top North American professionals stayed away. which weakened the men’s field. Now, stars from the NHL will wear national jerseys again, making the tournament closer to a “best-on-best” event and boosting global interest. For countries like the United States, this raises hopes of ending a long gold-medal drought in men’s hockey, while Canada remains a favourite thanks to its depth of talent. 

Another key issue has been the condition of the venues. Reports in early 2026 showed that some hockey rinks were still under construction or facing technical challenges, which worried the NHL and Players’ Union. Officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and local organisers have promised to work around the clock to fix remaining problems. Despite these concerns, all sides have confirmed that the men’s tournament will go ahead as planned. 

On the women’s side, the rivalry between Canada and the United States remains the highlight. Canada has won five of the last six Olympic women’s titles, but the U.S. team enters 2026 with strong momentum after dominating recent international events. Star players such as Hilary Knight are using Milano-Cortina as a final Olympic stage, adding emotional weight to the women’s bracket. Other nations, including Finland, Switzerland, and Czechia, are also improving and could challenge the traditional powers. 

Ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics promises intense, fast-paced action with the world’s best players back on the Olympic stage. The compact schedule, combined with the return of NHL stars and the tight Canada-U.S. rivalry, makes this one of the most anticipated events of Milano-Cortina. Fans can expect dramatic upsets. Late-game goals and a fresh chapter in Olympic hockey history.