Zürich – The NHL, the NHLPA, and international officials finalized on Wednesday a previously agreed-upon deal to send players to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. The league, the union, the International Ice Hockey Federation, and the International Olympic Committee confirmed the participation of NHL players in the games for the first time since 2014. The groups negotiated the agreement and initially announced it last year.
The finishing touches took time to materialize after officials insisted for months that they were not concerned about the lack of a signed document. The agreement opens the door to the continuation of the NHL’s participation in 2030, something that was also agreed upon in February 2024. Last month, the 12 participating countries unveiled the first six players of their Olympic rosters. The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Games is scheduled from February 11 to 22.It’s a big step forward for our sport.
Luc Tardif, IIHF President
