Which Olympic games is this hockey schedule for (e.g., 2026, 2024)?

This hockey schedule pertains to the **Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics** in Italy. The men's tournament is officially slated to run from February 11 to February 22, 2026, while the women's tournament is scheduled from February 5 to February 19, 2026, marking a highly anticipated return for NHL players to the Olympic stage (NHL.com). Understanding the specific dates and venue locations for these highly sought-after matchups is crucial for any serious hockey fan or international sports analyst tracking the global impact of the upcoming Winter Games.

### What are the key dates for the Milano Cortina 2026 hockey tournaments?

The ice hockey schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics is divided between the men's and women's competitions, spanning nearly the entire duration of the Games. The women's tournament is set to commence first, running from **February 5 to February 19, 2026** (RoadTrips.com). Following this, the men's tournament begins on **February 11, 2026**, culminating in the gold medal game on **February 22, 2026** (NHL.com). This staggered start allows for optimal venue management between the two events and features all 12 participating men's teams playing three preliminary games before advancing to a single-elimination playoff structure (NHL.com).

### Where will the 2026 Olympic hockey games be played?

The hockey events for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games will be primarily hosted in Milan, utilizing two key arenas. The **PalaItalia Santa Giulia** is designated as the main venue for the men's tournament, including the gold medal game, and will host several key matchups (Wikipedia). Another significant venue mentioned in the schedule planning is the **Mediolanum Forum** (WofDi.com PDF), which is often utilized for major ice events in Milan. For fans planning attendance or media coverage, knowing the specific cluster—Milan versus Cortina—is essential for logistics, as other sports are distributed across the Milano Cluster, Cortina Cluster, and Valtellina Cluster (WofDi.com PDF).

### How is the 2026 men's hockey tournament structured, particularly regarding NHL participation?

The structure of the 2026 men's tournament is highly significant because it represents the **return of NHL players** to the Olympic competition for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics (NHL.com). The tournament will feature 12 qualified national teams. These teams will first participate in a **group stage**, where each team plays three preliminary games (NHL.com). Following the group stage, all 12 teams advance into a **single-elimination playoff bracket**. This format maximizes the competitive intensity right from the start of the knockout rounds, ensuring that early group stage results directly impact seeding for high-stakes elimination games (NHL.com).

### What opening matchups are confirmed for the Milano Cortina 2026 men's tournament?

While the full schedule is complex and populated with TBD slots as qualifiers finalize, the official opening day matchups for the men's tournament have been highlighted. On February 11, 2026, the tournament kicks off with a matchup between **Slovakia and Finland**, immediately followed by **Sweden facing the host nation, Italy** (NHL.com). These initial games set the tone for the tournament and offer early insight into the form of some of the world's top hockey nations, especially as the Italian team competes on home ice (Wikipedia).

### Key Takeaways: Navigating the 2026 Olympic Hockey Landscape

* **Event Confirmation:** The schedule details are definitively for the **Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics**.
* **Tournament Dates:** Women’s hockey runs Feb 5–19, while Men’s runs Feb 11–22, 2026.
* **Venue:** Key action, especially the men's tournament, will be centered in Milan at venues like the PalaItalia Santa Giulia.
* **NHL Impact:** This is a landmark event due to the confirmed participation of NHL players, raising the competitive standard significantly.
* **Format:** The men’s competition uses a preliminary round followed by a full 12-team single-elimination playoff.

What This Means for Hockey Analysts and Fans: The 2026 schedule signals a return to the "best-on-best" hockey the world craves. Fans must track preliminary results closely, as the single-elimination format means any off-night can end a medal hope, a dynamic amplified by the integration of world-class NHL talent.

In conclusion, the specific Olympic hockey schedule centers on the highly anticipated Milano Cortina 2026 Games, a crucial event for international hockey due to the confirmed involvement of NHL stars. From the opening puck drop in Milan to the final championship game, these dates and venues will host the pinnacle of international ice hockey competition, offering fans a compact yet incredibly high-stakes tournament structure. The true measure of this schedule’s success will be seen in how effectively the host nation manages the dual-tournament timeline and how quickly the world’s best players, fresh from the NHL grind, adapt to the unique Olympic environment.

## References

* https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/iho
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_2026_Winter_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament
* https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-olympic-winter-games-milano-cortina-hockey-tournament-schedule
* https://www.roadtrips.com/winter-games/winter-games-packages/schedule/
* https://wofdi.com/img/wintergames2026/Milan-Cortina-Winter-Games-26-Schedule-WofDi.pdf