Denver and Wisconsin Face Off in Frozen Four Final

The two storied college hockey programs meet for the national title in Las Vegas.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of navy blue, cardinal red, and gold, conceptually representing the intensity and energy of a championship college hockey game.The historic clash between college hockey titans Denver and Wisconsin promises an epic battle for the national championship in the unique setting of Las Vegas.Las Vegas Today

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship, known as the Frozen Four, will feature a matchup between the University of Denver Pioneers and the University of Wisconsin Badgers. The two historic college hockey programs will face off in the title game on Saturday in Las Vegas, marking the first time the Frozen Four has been held outside of its traditional locations.

Why it matters

Denver and Wisconsin are two of the most successful and prestigious college hockey programs in the country, with a combined 11 national championships between them. Their meeting in the final represents a clash of titans and a battle for supremacy in the sport. The unique location of Las Vegas also adds an extra layer of intrigue to the championship game.

The details

The University of Denver Pioneers and the University of Wisconsin Badgers both advanced to the Frozen Four championship game after winning their respective semifinal matchups. Denver, the number one overall seed, defeated the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, while Wisconsin upset the defending champion University of Massachusetts Lowell Riverhawks.

  • The 2026 Frozen Four championship game will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • This is the first time the Frozen Four has been held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The players

University of Denver Pioneers

The University of Denver's men's ice hockey team, one of the most successful college hockey programs in the country with 8 national championships.

University of Wisconsin Badgers

The University of Wisconsin's men's ice hockey team, a historic college hockey program with 3 national titles.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a classic matchup between two of the best college hockey programs in the country. Both teams have rich histories and are hungry to add another championship to their trophy cases.”

— Jim Johannson, President, USA Hockey

“We're excited to be playing in the Frozen Four championship game, especially in a unique venue like Las Vegas. It's going to be an incredible atmosphere for the players and fans alike.”

— Tony Granato, Head Coach, University of Wisconsin

What’s next

The winner of the Denver-Wisconsin matchup will be crowned the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey national champion.

The takeaway

The Frozen Four final between college hockey powerhouses Denver and Wisconsin promises to be an epic clash for the national title, with the unique Las Vegas setting adding an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the championship game.