ZURICH โ NHL players are officially set to participate in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, following a finalized agreement reached on Wednesday involving the NHL, the NHLPA, international officials, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This marks the first time since 2014 that NHL players will compete in the Olympics.
The IIHF President Luc Tardif expressed that this agreement represents a โmajor step forward for our sport.โ This finalized arrangement is the result of extensive discussions and negotiations among the involved parties, which have been ongoing since the initial announcement of the agreement last year. The agreement also paves the way for potential NHL player participation in the 2030 Olympics, following a preliminary consensus reached back in February 2024.
Last month, the 12 countries that will participate in the Olympic menโs hockey tournament revealed the first six players listed on their rosters for the upcoming games. This tournament is slated to occur from February 11th through February 22nd, 2026, promising an exciting showcase of hockey on a global stage.