NHL Players Secure 2026 Olympic Return After 12-Year Absence

13 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 2, 2025, 05:02 PM

The National Hockey League, its players’ association, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee signed a formal agreement in Zurich on 2 July that clears the way for NHL players to compete at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026. The accord ends a 12-year absence that began after the 2014 Sochi Games, when scheduling disputes and pandemic concerns kept the league’s stars out of the past two Olympics.

Under the deal, the men’s tournament will run 11–22 February on NHL-sized ice at Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho arenas. National federations must file preliminary lists of 42 skaters and five goaltenders by 15 October, with final 22-plus-three rosters due on 31 December; injury replacements will be permitted up to the opening face-off. The pact also grants the league expanded commercial rights around Olympic content.

League deputy commissioner Bill Daly called the signing “all good,” while commissioner Gary Bettman said Olympic participation will showcase players’ talent on a global stage. IIHF president Luc Tardif hailed the move as “a major step forward for our sport,” and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said the return promises “extraordinary moments” for athletes and fans. The agreement contemplates extending NHL involvement to the 2030 Winter Games, pending separate negotiations.

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#National Hockey League #International Ice Hockey Federation #International Olympic Committee #Zurich #NHL #2014 Sochi Games #Olympics #Milano Santagiulia #Milano Rho #Olympic #League #Bill Daly #Gary Bettman #IIHF #Luc Tardif #Marty Walsh #2030 Winter Games

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Sources

nhl.com(2)nytimes.com(2)ici.radio-canada.ca ctvnews.ca

Radio-Canada Info

@RadioCanadaInfo

It's confirmed, NHL players will be at the Milan-Cortina Games

Front Office Sports

@FOS

NHL players will play for their countries in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. It will be the first time NHL players have played in an Olympics since 2014.

Dan Rosen

@drosennhl

The Olympic agreement is finally official. My story on the news today, the signing of the agreement in Zurich, what it means for the NHL, dates for rosters, etc.