This year's Olympic hockey schedule is bringing the heat, with the women's tournament kicking off on February 5th in Milan — one day before the Opening Ceremony.
The 2026 Winter Olympics features 10 nations competing across two groups through February 19th, when medal games will determine the podium finishers.
One heated rivalry is at the center of this year's hockey schedule. Defending champions Canada are seeking their sixth Olympic gold, while Team USA enters as the reigning world champions after ousting Canada from the 2025 World Championship.
From the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, as the third-year PWHL has elevated play across all participating nations. Here's everything you need to know.
Which countries feature in the Olympic hockey group stage?
Group A brings together the world's top-ranked teams: United States, Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. These five teams automatically qualified based on IIHF world rankings, and were subsequently guaranteed quarterfinal spots. Group B consists of host nation Italy, plus Japan, Sweden, Germany, and France, all earning their positions through qualification tournaments.
Olympic hockey's preliminary rounds run through February 10th, with each team playing four group-stage matches. The knockout rounds follow, with the bronze and gold medal matches slated for February 19th.
Complete 2026 Winter Olympics hockey schedule
Olympic Hockey Schedule: Preliminary Round
Thursday, February 5th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Sweden vs Germany (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — France vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Czechia vs United States (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Canada vs Finland (Group A)
Friday, February 6th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — France vs Japan (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — Czechia vs Switzerland (Group A)
Saturday, February 7th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Germany vs Japan (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — Sweden vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — USA vs Finland (Group A)
Sunday, February 8th (Group stage)
- 10:40 AM ET — France vs Sweden (Group B)
- 3:10 PM ET — Czechia vs Finland (Group A)
Monday, February 9th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Japan vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Germany vs France (Group B)
- 2:40 PM ET — Switzerland vs USA (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Canada vs Czechia (Group A)
Tuesday, February 10th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Japan vs Sweden (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Italy vs Germany (Group B)
- 2:10 PM ET — Canada vs USA (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Finland vs Switzerland (Group A)
Olympic Hockey Schedule: Knockout Round
Friday, February 13th (Quarterfinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Saturday, February 14th (Quarterfinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Monday, February 16th (Semifinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Thursday, February 19th
- 8:40 AM ET — Bronze Medal Game
- 1:10 PM ET — Gold Medal Game
