Wisconsin to face Denver in NCAA hockey title rematch

Badgers and Pioneers to meet in national championship game in Las Vegas

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a college hockey championship game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, gold, and red.The historic rivalry between Wisconsin and Denver will be on full display in the 2026 NCAA hockey national championship game.Las Vegas Today

The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team will face the Denver Pioneers in the 2026 NCAA national championship game, a rematch of their 1973 title matchup. The two longtime WCHA rivals will meet on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Central inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the game televised on ESPN.

Why it matters

Wisconsin and Denver have a storied history as conference foes, with the Badgers holding a 76-66-13 all-time record over the Pioneers. The two teams have met five times in front of sellout crowds at the Kohl Center, and their 1973 national championship game matchup was won by Wisconsin. This will be the first time the rivals have met in the NCAA tournament final since that 1973 clash.

The details

After advancing to the national title game with a win over Michigan, the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers will face the No. 2 Denver Pioneers, who defeated the top-ranked Wolverines in double overtime. The Badgers and Pioneers were conference rivals in the WCHA from 1969 to 2013, when Wisconsin departed for the Big Ten and Denver helped found the NCHC.

  • The national title game will be played at 4:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Wisconsin and Denver last met in front of a sellout crowd at the Kohl Center in 2013, their final WCHA matchup before conference realignment.

The players

Wisconsin Badgers

The men's ice hockey team from the University of Wisconsin, competing in the Big Ten Conference.

Denver Pioneers

The men's ice hockey team from the University of Denver, competing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

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What they’re saying

“Wisconsin and Denver have such a rich history as conference rivals, and it's going to be a great atmosphere for the national championship game.”

— Jim Johannson, NCAA Ice Hockey Committee Chair

What’s next

The winner of the national championship game between Wisconsin and Denver will be crowned the 2026 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey national champion.

The takeaway

This national title game rematch between longtime WCHA foes Wisconsin and Denver will be a highly anticipated clash between two of college hockey's most storied programs, with the Badgers looking to avenge their 1973 championship loss to the Pioneers.