How to Watch Ice Hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Have you ever imagined the adrenaline of seeing a decisive goal in the final seconds of an ice hockey match at the 2026 Olympics?

Picture the biting cold of the arena, the sound of skates gliding the ice, and the crowd cheering after every goal.

This is the energy that the 2026 Winter Olympics promise to bring back, and ice hockey will undoubtedly be one of the main stars of this sporting celebration.

But it’s not enough to just feel the excitement, you need to know where and how to follow every match of this freezing battle between the world’s top powers.

That’s why we’ve prepared a complete ice hockey article with everything you need: from broadcast channels and apps to the tournament format and, of course, how to secure your spot, whether in the comfort of your sofa or cheering live from the stands.

Shall we go?

👉 This content is strictly informational and does not display live hockey matches. Below are the best and safest platforms to watch hockey.

Apps and Platforms to Follow Every Match

No matter where you are in the world, Milan-Cortina 2026 ice hockey will be within your reach. Remember that each platform has its own rights and broadcast formats, so check what each offers:

Olympics: Live Sports & News (Worldwide)

The official app of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the global hub for anyone who breathes Olympic sport. It’s the perfect place to get:

• Minute-by-minute news: Stay up to date with all scores, lineups, and the latest ice hockey news.
  
• Exclusive content: Expect athlete profiles, documentaries, and live streams of qualifying events. It’s your companion behind the scenes of the Games.

Peacock (United States)

If you’re in the United States, Peacock TV is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, holding the broadcast rights.

• Extensive coverage: NBC is known for massive coverage, and Peacock typically offers thousands of hours of live and on demand content for all sports, including ice hockey.
  
• Advanced features: Expect options like multi-screen viewing to follow more than one game simultaneously, perfect for the busiest tournament days.

CBC Gem (Canada)

In Canada, the home of ice hockey, CBC Gem is the national broadcaster’s streaming service.

• National pride: Canadian coverage tends to be extremely focused on its teams (always favorites) and players. Expect passionate commentary and detailed analysis from an ice hockey perspective.
  
• Free access: CBC Gem offers a large portion of its content for free. Take advantage!

BBC iPlayer (United Kingdom)

For fans in the UK, BBC iPlayer is the crown jewel.

• Catch-Up and multi-device: Besides live broadcasts, you can rewatch full games. BBC iPlayer is known for being accessible on a wide range of devices (mobiles, tablets, and smart TVs).
  
• Quality coverage: The BBC offers one of the most acclaimed coverages in the world, focused on stories and in-depth analyses.

9Now (Australia)

The 9Now platform is the gateway for broadcasts in Australia.

• Highlight focus: Although Australia doesn’t have as much winter sports tradition, 9Now ensures the event is broadcast across Oceania, highlighting the most popular sports and key moments of ice hockey.

RAI Play (Italy)

As the host country, Italy will have extensive coverage, and RAI Play is the Italian public broadcaster’s streaming service.

• Complete and local coverage: RAI will provide live broadcasts, especially on RAI 1 and RAI 2. It’s the best source to follow the local atmosphere of the Games and Italy’s performance as host.

TV Globo and Globoplay (Brazil)

In Brazil, Grupo Globo holds exclusive rights for cable TV and streaming.

• Multiple feeds: Globoplay and SporTV (the group’s cable channels) usually provide dozens of extra feeds to cover all events simultaneously. This means you’ll have a dedicated channel for ice hockey without interruptions!
  
• Digital experience: It’s the best option for Brazilian viewers to guarantee coverage in Portuguese, with on demand content and online access.

Channels to not Miss Any Game

Check out the broadcasters airing the excitement of ice hockey in other important regions of the world:

1. China: CMG (China Media Group) and TDM (Teledifusão de Macau).
   
2. France: France Télévisions and Eurosport.
   
3. Germany: ARD and ZDF.
   
4. Spain: RTVE (Radiotelevisión Española).
   
5. Japan: Japan Consortium.
   
6. South Korea: KBS / MBC / SBS.
   
7. India: DD Sports / Sony Pictures Networks India.
   
8. Indonesia: MNC Sports / TVRI.

Everything you Need to Know About Ice Hockey in 2026

The ice hockey games will take place in the modern arenas of Milan: the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

The big news is the return of NHL (National Hockey League) players, the most prestigious league in the world, which hadn’t participated since Sochi 2014.

This means we’ll see the best players in action, guaranteeing a historically unmissable men’s tournament.

• When does it take place? The women’s tournament will run from February 5 to 19, 2026. The men’s tournament, featuring NHL stars, will run from February 11 to 22, 2026.
  
• Stars returning: Expect to see the biggest names of today competing for their countries, such as Auston Matthews (USA) and Connor McDavid (Canada).
  
• Women’s excitement: The women’s ice hockey tournament, traditionally dominated by the USA and Canada, promises intense duels. The format allows the top five ranked teams (Group A) to play each other for a direct path to the quarterfinals, while the others (Group B) fight for the remaining spots. 

Tournament Rules and Format

Ice hockey is fast, tactical, and physical. The game is played in three 20-minute periods, with the clock stopping at every interruption.

• Teams on the ice: Each ice hockey team has 6 players on the ice (1 goalie and 5 skaters). Line changes are constant, keeping the intensity high at all times.
  
• The Puck: The disc is propelled by the stick. The goal is simple: get it into the opponent’s net.
  
• Penalties and Power Play: Penalties result in 2, 5, or 10-minute suspensions for the player. For minor fouls, the opposing team gets a power play (numerical advantage) until the penalty time ends or the team on power play scores a goal.
  
• Men’s format: 12 teams divided into 3 groups of 4. The three group winners and the best second-place team advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams compete in a qualification play-off.

Participating Teams

In the men’s ice hockey tournament, the top 8 in the world ranking and the host country, Italy, are confirmed. The list includes powers that have historically dominated the sport:

• Men’s powers: Canada, United States, Finland, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Germany. Italy is the host.
  
• Women’s powers: Canada and United States (favorites), Finland, Switzerland, and Czech Republic. Women’s ice hockey is marked by this historic rivalry and top-level games.

Players to Watch

With the NHL returning, the world’s eyes will be on the great superstars.

• Men: Watch for the first names already revealed in preliminary lists: Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby (Canada), Auston Matthews and brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk (USA). Just bringing these legends together in one tournament is historic!
  
• Women: Look out for Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada), known as a goal-scoring machine in Olympic finals, and Hilary Knight (USA), a women’s ice hockey legend. They carry the weight of a rivalry that’s one of the sport’s most thrilling.

Where to Buy Tickets Online

Want to feel the puck gliding across the ice live? Ticket sales are handled through the official website of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee.

• Official website: The main and safest sales channel is the official Milano Cortina 2026 ticket portal. It’s recommended to register with the official community (Fan26) to receive updates on new sales phases and additional ticket batches.
  
• Watch for Visa: Historically, Visa is a sponsor and often offers exclusive pre-sale periods for cardholders. Stay tuned for announcements.

You now have all the tools and information to dive headfirst into the Olympic season!

Grab your stick (and your popcorn) and explore more winter sports on our site. The adrenaline is just getting started!