When does Olympic hockey start? Full schedule for 2026 men’s games in Milan

By | February 5, 2026

The world’s best hockey players are back on the biggest stage.

After missing the 2022 Winter Olympics, NHL players will participate in this year’s Games in Milan-Cortina. That makes men’s hockey one of the must-watch events, as fans will be eager to see NHL stars representing their countries.

That is especially true for Team USA and Team Canada, as those two programs were impacted the most by the NHL’s absence in 2022. After the Four Nations Face-Off was such a hit last year, hockey fans can’t wait to see those countries face off once again.

Here’s what you need to know about when Olympic men’s hockey starts this year.

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When does Olympic hockey start?

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony is Friday, Feb. 6, but women’s hockey will begin before the men’s tournament.

Group play for men’s Olympic hockey starts Wednesday, Feb. 11, and all 12 teams will have played their first game by Thursday, Feb. 12. After nearly a week of group-stage games, the playoffs begin Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The hockey schedule continues with the quarterfinals on Feb. 18, the semifinals on Feb. 20, and the gold medal game on Feb. 22. The bronze medal game will be played Feb. 21.

MORE: Full 2026 Winter Olympics schedule

Full schedule for men’s hockey in Milan-Cortina

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
B Slovakia vs. Finland 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
B Sweden vs. Italy 3:10 p.m. USA, Peacock

Thursday, Feb. 12

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
A Switzerland vs. France 6:10 a.m. Peacock
A Czechia vs. Canada 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
C United States vs. Latvia 3:10 p.m. USA, Peacock
C Germany vs. Denmark 3:10 p.m. Peacock

Friday, Feb. 13

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
B Finland vs. Sweden 6:10 a.m. Peacock
B Italy vs. Slovakia 6:10 a.m. Peacock
A France vs. Czechia 10:40 a.m. Peacock
A Canada vs. Switzerland 3:10 p.m. Peacock

Saturday, Feb. 14

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
B Sweden vs. Slovakia 6:10 a.m. Peacock
C Germany vs. Latvia 6:10 a.m. CNBC, Peacock
B Finland vs. Italy 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
C United States vs. Denmark 3:10 p.m. USA, Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 15

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
A Switzerland vs. Czechia 6:10 a.m. CNBC, Peacock
A Canada vs. France 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
C Denmark vs. Latvia 1:10 p.m. CNBC, Peacock
C United States v.s Germany 3:10 a.m. USA, Peacock

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Round Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
Qualification Playoff TBD vs. TBD 6:10 a.m. Peacock
Qualification Playoff TBD vs. TBD 6:10 a.m. Peacock
Qualification Playoff TBD vs. TBD 10:40 a.m. Peacock
Qualification Playoff TBD vs. TBD 3:10 p.m. USA, Peacock

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Round Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
Quarterfinals TBD vs. TBD 6:10 a.m. Peacock
Quarterfinals TBD vs. TBD 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
Quarterfinals TBD vs. TBD 12:10 p.m. USA, Peacock
Quarterfinals TBD vs. TBD 3:10 p.m. NBC, Peacock

Friday, Feb. 20

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
Semifinals TBD vs. TBD 10:40 a.m. USA, Peacock
Semifinals TBD vs. TBD 3:10 p.m. NBC, Peacock

Saturday, Feb. 21

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
Bronze Medal TBD vs. TBD 2:40 p.m. USA, Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 22

Group Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
Gold Medal TBD vs. TBD 8:10 a.m. NBC, Peacock

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