NHL Players Return to 2026 Winter Olympics

How to watch the hockey tournament featuring the world's top hockey nations

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will mark the first time NHL players have competed for gold since 2014. The hockey tournament will feature 12 of the world's top hockey nations, including powerhouses like Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. The NHL regular-season schedule will shut down from February 6-24 to accommodate the Olympic break. Fans in the U.S. can watch the games on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network, with livestreams available on Peacock and other NBC platforms.

Why it matters

The return of NHL players to the Olympics is a highly anticipated event, as it will showcase the world's best hockey talent competing for gold. The last time NHL players participated was in 2014, and their absence from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics was met with disappointment from fans and players alike. This tournament will reignite the intense rivalries between hockey superpowers and provide a platform for emerging stars to shine on the international stage.

The details

The 12 competing Olympic nations are divided into three pools of four teams. They will play their three group-stage games from February 11-15, followed by the playoffs beginning on February 17. The semi-finals are set for February 20, with the gold-medal game on February 22. The U.S. team is headlined by brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, along with a mix of young NHL stars and veterans who helped the U.S. win gold at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. Other top NHL players representing their countries include Connor McDavid (Canada), David Pastrnak (Czechia), Mikko Rantanen (Finland), and Leon Draisaitl (Germany).

  • The NHL's regular-season schedule will shut down from February 6-24 to accommodate the Olympic break.
  • The group-stage games will be played from February 11-15.
  • The playoffs will begin on February 17, with the semi-finals set for February 20 and the gold-medal game on February 22.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers who is a key member of the U.S. Olympic team.

Brady Tkachuk

The captain of the Ottawa Senators and Matthew's younger brother, also playing for the U.S. Olympic team.

Connor McDavid

One of the NHL's top stars, representing Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

David Pastrnak

A skilled forward playing for Team Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mikko Rantanen

A star player for the Finnish national team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“The wait is almost over. Starting Feb. 11 in Milan, we'll see NHL players in 2026 Olympics. This will mark the first time they've competed for gold since 2014 in Sochi.”

— Carol Schram, Author (Forbes)

“Don't expect the same style of play in Milan. The 4 Nations Face-Off was mounted by the NHL and played under NHL rules. The Olympic tournament is regulated by the rulebook of the International Ice Hockey Federation, where any five-minute major for fighting is punished much more harshly: automatically accompanied by a game misconduct.”

— Carol Schram, Author (Forbes)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The return of NHL players to the Olympics is a highly anticipated event that will showcase the world's best hockey talent competing for gold. Fans in the U.S. can look forward to intense rivalries and emerging stars as the tournament unfolds on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network, as well as various streaming platforms.