Ice Hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Live Broadcast

Every pass, every shot, every save: experience the thrill of ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where every moment promises to get your heart racing.

Are you ready for the biggest reunion of the world’s top ice athletes? The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina will mark the return of NHL stars to the ice hockey tournament.

This means we will have the best players in the world competing for gold in a competition with a level of skill unseen in the past decade.

This article provides all the information on how to watch, where to find the broadcasts, and what to expect from the festivities in Milan.

👉 This article is for informational purposes only. It does not contain live broadcasts. Here, we show the best platforms and how to access them to watch ice hockey safely.

Where to Watch Ice Hockey Online

No matter your country, the Milan-Cortina 2026 ice hockey will be available. Keep in mind that access and broadcast format vary by region.

CBC Gem (Canada)

In Canada, the birthplace of ice hockey, the national broadcaster’s streaming service offers coverage with passionate commentary.

• National focus: Detailed analysis with strong focus on Canadian teams (always favorites).
• Free access: Much of CBC Gem’s content is offered for free.

Peacock (United States)

If you are in the United States, this is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, which holds the broadcast rights.

• Full coverage: Thousands of hours of live and on-demand content across all sports.
• Multi-screen viewing: Advanced features to follow more than one game simultaneously.

Olympics: Live Sports & News (Worldwide)

The official International Olympic Committee (IOC) app is your global starting point and main news hub.

• News and scores: Minute-by-minute coverage of all ice hockey games.
• Exclusive content: Detailed athlete profiles and behind-the-scenes documentaries.

RAI Play (Italy)

As the host country, Italy will have extensive coverage on public television. It’s the best source to feel the local atmosphere of the games.

• Local broadcast: Ensures live coverage of the matches.
• Main channels: Available on free channels RAI 1 and RAI 2, as well as the platform’s streaming service.

TV Globo (Brazil)

In Brazil, Grupo Globo holds exclusive rights for streaming and cable TV through Globoplay and SporTV channels.

• Multiple signals: Extra channels dedicated to covering all ice hockey games simultaneously.
• Content in portuguese: Complete coverage with commentary in Portuguese.

BBC iPlayer (United Kingdom)

For the UK, the BBC offers one of the most acclaimed coverages in the world.

• Catch-up: Ability to rewatch full games and highlights on demand.
• Multi-device: Easy access on smart TVs, tablets, and mobile devices.

9Now (Australia)

The broadcasting platform for Australia and Oceania.

• Highlights focus: Guarantees key moments and the most important matches of the tournament.
• Full broadcast: Event coverage ensured for the Oceania region.

Everything about the Ice Hockey Tournament in Milan-Cortina

Ice hockey will be one of the most anticipated events of Milan-Cortina 2026, and for good reason.

The big news elevating the men’s tournament is the long-awaited return of athletes from the NHL (National Hockey League), the sport’s elite league. They haven’t participated since Sochi 2014, and their presence ensures we’ll see the best players in the world in action.

• When do the games take place? The women’s tournament runs from February 5 to 19, 2026. The men’s competition, featuring NHL stars, takes place from February 11 to 22, 2026.
• The Women’s rivalry: The women’s tournament is globally known for the intense rivalry between Canada and the United States. The format is intriguing: the top five ranked teams (Group A) play against each other for direct spots, while Group B teams compete for the remaining spots.

TV Networks and Broadcasters

For those who prefer traditional broadcasting, check the networks holding rights in other key regions to follow Milan-Cortina 2026 ice hockey:
1. China

• CMG (China Media Group)
• TDM (Teledifusão de Macau)

2. France

• France Télévisions
• Eurosport

3. Germany

• ARD
• 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

Match Format, Rules, and Dynamics

Ice hockey is a sport of high speed and strategy. Every touch of the puck raises the intensity, so it’s good to know what to expect.

Games are divided into three 20-minute periods, with the clock stopping at each interruption, ensuring excitement until the final second.

• On the ice: Six players per team (one goalie and five skaters). The difference is the constant, frantic “line changes” (substitutions) to keep the pace high.
• The objective: Use the stick to propel the puck and score in the opponent’s net, of course!
• Penalties and Power Play: Fouls result in penalties of 2, 5, or 10 minutes for the player. During a minor penalty, the opposing team gains a power play (numerical advantage), one of the most exciting parts of the game, which ends only when the penalty expires or a goal is scored.
• Men’s format (12 teams): Teams are divided into 3 groups of 4. The three group winners and the best second-place team advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams face a qualification play-off to fill the remaining quarterfinal spots.

Teams Competing for the Podium

The 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournament will bring together the best national teams in the world, with balanced groups and thrilling matchups from the start. Check them out:

Men – Groups and teams

• Group A: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark
• Group B: United States, Sweden, Czech Republic, Italy
• Group C: Finland, France, Latvia, Slovakia

Women – Groups and teams

• Group A: Canada, United States, Finland, Switzerland
• Group B: Sweden, Czech Republic, Japan, France

Key Players of Ice Hockey 2026

With the NHL returning, the ice in Milan-Cortina will host a rare concentration of talent, worthy of an All-Star Game with World Cup-level rivalry.

• Men: Names like Connor McDavid and veteran Sidney Crosby (Canada), and capitain
• Auston Matthews (USA) are sure to be on the podium. Watching these legends compete for their countries is the highlight everyone expects.
• Women: Keep an eye on Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada), known as “Captain Clutch” for her decisive goals in finals, and Hilary Knight (USA), one of the top scorers in ice hockey history.

Where and How to Buy Game Tickets

Nothing compares to the energy of seeing the puck fly live! To secure your spot in the arenas in Milan, follow the official route.

• Official site: Ticket sales are centralized on the Milan Cortina 2026 official ticket portal. It’s the safest and most up-to-date source.
• Stay alert: It’s recommended to register with the official community (Fan26) to receive information about sales phases, packs, and possible extra batches.
• Sponsor tip: Visa, a long-time Olympic partner, often has exclusive pre-sale periods for cardholders.

Conclusion

Now that you know all the details, from the best streaming options, through match formats, to the stars who will shine on the ice, it’s time to get ready to feel every moment of the action!

The 2026 Winter Olympics promise unforgettable moments, full of excitement and intense rivalry. Don’t miss the chance to experience every goal, save, and turning point.

Keep exploring our site to dive even deeper into the world of winter sports and stay up to date with everything this spectacular tournament has to offer!