The NHL Ice Hockey Returns to the Olympic Games!
Zürich – The NHL, the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), and international officials have reached an agreement to send NHL players to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. This agreement, which had been agreed upon some time ago, confirms the participation of NHL players in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. The agreement was negotiated and initially announced last year by the league, the union, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the International Olympic Committee.NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his enthusiasm for the return of his league’s players to the most important international stage.Olympic participation will showcase the skill and talent of NHL players on an international stage. We are proud to collaborate with the IIHF, the NHLPA, and the IOC to bring the world’s best hockey players to the Olympic Games and make this happen in a way that benefits the game globally.
Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director, added that the return to the Olympics is a monumental moment for hockey. Luc Tardif, IIHF President, called the agreement “a big step forward for our sport”. The final details of the agreement were resolved after officials insisted for months that they were not concerned about the lack of a signed document. This agreement opens the door to NHL participation in 2030, something that was also agreed upon in February 2024. Last month, the 12 participating countries revealed the first six players of their Olympic rosters. The men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Games is scheduled from February 11 to 22.International “best against best” tournaments like the Olympic Games provide the opportunity to create extraordinary moments for our players and fans alike.
Marty Walsh, Executive Director of the NHL Players’ Association
