Ice hockey stands as one of the most anticipated sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano–Cortina, delivering a packed calendar of high-intensity matches across both the men’s and women’s tournaments. With top-ranked hockey nations competing across multiple venues in Milan, the event promises elite-level competition, global fan engagement, and medal battles that define Olympic legacy. From group-stage clashes to the decisive gold medal games, the ice hockey schedule spans from 5 February to 22 February 2026, covering every phase of the tournament.
This comprehensive guide covers the full Olympic ice hockey schedule, participating nations, group formats, key match phases, and an overview of how the medal table structure aligns with the competition format.
Participating Nations in Olympic Ice Hockey 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics features a powerful lineup of international teams across three competitive groups. These nations represent the strongest hockey programs across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Men’s Tournament Participating Nations
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Switzerland
- France
- Finland
- Sweden
- Slovakia
- Italy
- United States
- Germany
- Latvia
- Denmark
These teams are distributed across three groups, ensuring balanced competition and multiple qualification pathways into the knockout stage.
Venues Hosting Ice Hockey at Milano 2026
All ice hockey matches will be played at two world-class facilities in Milan:
- Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
- Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
These venues will host preliminary rounds, playoffs, medal matches, and finals for both men’s and women’s tournaments.
Women’s Ice Hockey Schedule Overview (5–16 February 2026)
The women’s ice hockey competition begins on Thursday, 5 February, featuring early group-stage matches and continuing through the gold medal game on 19 February.
Key Women’s Preliminary Round Highlights
- 5 February: Sweden vs Germany, Italy vs France, USA vs Czechia, Finland vs Canada
- 6 February: France vs Japan, Czechia vs Switzerland
- 7 February: Germany vs Japan, Sweden vs Italy, USA vs Finland, Switzerland vs Canada
- 8 February: France vs Sweden, Czechia vs Finland
- 9 February: Japan vs Italy, Germany vs France, Switzerland vs USA, Canada vs Czechia
- 10 February: Japan vs Sweden, Italy vs Germany, Canada vs USA, Finland vs Switzerland
Each match directly contributes to group standings, shaping quarterfinal qualification.
Women’s Playoff Rounds
Quarterfinals
- 13 February – Two quarterfinal matches
- 14 February – Two quarterfinal matches
Semifinals
- 16 February
- Match 1 at 16:40
- Match 2 at 21:10
Medal Games
- 19 February
- Women’s Bronze Medal Game – 14:40
- Women’s Gold Medal Game – 19:10
Men’s Ice Hockey Schedule Overview (11–22 February 2026)
The men’s tournament starts on 11 February with Group B matches and progresses through qualifiers, playoffs, semifinals, and medals.
Key Men’s Preliminary Round Matches
| Date | Match | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb | Slovakia vs Finland | Group B | Milano Santagiulia |
| 11 Feb | Sweden vs Italy | Group B | Milano Santagiulia |
| 12 Feb | Switzerland vs France | Group A | Milano Santagiulia |
| 12 Feb | Czechia vs Canada | Group A | Milano Santagiulia |
| 12 Feb | Latvia vs USA | Group C | Milano Santagiulia |
| 12 Feb | Germany vs Denmark | Group C | Milano Rho |
Further group-stage matches continue through 15 February, including:
- Sweden vs Finland
- Italy vs Slovakia
- Canada vs Switzerland
- Denmark vs Latvia
- USA vs Germany
Each fixture impacts qualification standings, directly influencing access to the men’s qualification playoffs on 17 February.
Men’s Knockout Structure
Qualification Play-offs – 17 February
Four qualification matches determine access to the quarterfinal round.
Quarterfinals – 18 February
- Four quarterfinal matches across both venues:
- 12:10
- 16:40
- 18:10
- 21:10
Semifinals – 20 February
- Two semifinal matches:
- 16:40
- 21:10
Medal Games
- Men’s Bronze Medal Game – 21 February at 20:40
- Men’s Gold Medal Game – 22 February at 14:10
Ice Hockey Medal Table Structure
The Olympic ice hockey medal table assigns medals separately for:
- Men’s Tournament
- Women’s Tournament
Each tournament awards:
- Gold Medal
- Silver Medal
- Bronze Medal
Medal positions are decided strictly through the playoff results, with no ranking-based placement. Only performance in gold medal games and bronze medal games defines final Olympic standings.
Competition Format and Progression
Tournament Phases
- Preliminary Group Stage
- Qualification Play-offs (Men only)
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Bronze Medal Game
- Gold Medal Game
Group Stage Purpose
- Determines automatic qualifiers
- Establishes playoff seeding
- Controls cross-group matchups
Why Ice Hockey at Milano 2026 Stands Out
- Two dedicated arenas ensure optimal ice conditions.
- Simultaneous group matches increase fan engagement.
- Compact knockout phase delivers daily high-stakes action.
- Balanced geographic representation across Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Strong presence of traditional hockey powers and competitive emerging nations.
Key Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
- The Olympic ice hockey schedule spans 18 full days.
- Women’s tournament runs first, followed closely by men’s competition.
- Gold medal games occur on separate days for men and women.
- Multiple matches each day allow for high broadcast coverage and fan access.
- Every match directly shapes Olympic medal outcomes.
Winter Sports 2026 – Quick Links
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Conclusion
The Ice Hockey competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics is structured to deliver continuous action from early February through the final medal ceremony on 22 February. With a deep pool of participating nations, two advanced Milano arenas, and a flawlessly organized progression from group stages to gold medal games, Olympic ice hockey in 2026 reflects the very best of international winter sports.
From the first women’s face-off to the final men’s gold medal clash, every match represents a defining moment in Olympic ice hockey history—where precision, speed, teamwork, and national pride combine on the world’s most prestigious winter sports stage.