The stage is set for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with the announcement of the official schedule and the revealing of the highly anticipated group pairings for the ice hockey tournaments. The Games, officially known as the XXV Olympic Winter Games, are scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, promising 17 days of thrilling competition across 16 disciplines.

The men's ice hockey tournament will feature 12 teams, while the women's tournament will include 10 teams. Competition will take place at two venues, the Fiera Milano and the brand-new Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena which has a capacity of 16,000.

In the men's tournament, the preliminary round will consist of three groups of four teams each. Group A is set to be a fiercely competitive one, featuring Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, and France. Group B includes Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, and host nation Italy. Group C consists of the United States, Germany, Latvia, and Denmark.

The schedule reveals some exciting matchups right from the start. Canada will begin its quest for gold against Czechia on February 12, followed by clashes with Switzerland on February 13 and France on February 15. The United States will face Latvia on February 12, followed by games against Denmark and Germany on February 14 and 15, respectively. Finland and Sweden, perennial rivals, will meet on February 13 in what is expected to be a highly intense game.

The women's tournament also promises plenty of excitement. The U.S. women will face Czechia in their opening game, while Canada will begin their title defense against an as-yet-unnamed opponent. The preliminary round will be followed by the playoff stage, culminating in the medal games on February 19.

For the first time since the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, the men's tournament will see the return of NHL players, adding an extra layer of excitement and star power to the competition. All 12 teams have already announced their first six players, giving fans a glimpse of the talent that will be on display in Milan-Cortina. Some of the biggest names include Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and more.

One notable change for the 2026 Winter Olympics is the inclusion of France in both the men's and women's hockey tournaments, replacing Russia. This decision comes after the International Olympic Committee's recommendation to maintain the ban on Russian teams due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

With the schedule and group pairings now set, anticipation is building for what promises to be a memorable Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026. Hockey fans can look forward to thrilling games, intense rivalries, and the crowning of new Olympic champions.