The Winter Olympics have begun on 6th February 2026 at Italy’s prestigious San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza). As one of the events, ice hockey games are in the opening, with the women’s preliminary rounds having started already.
Several rounds in the women’s division haven’t begun, and the men’s division hasn’t started yet. Around 12 countries from Central Europe and the Nordic region are waiting to enter the ice, including America. Moreover, NHL players are set to compete in the Winter Olympic Ice Hockey events, making the games even more compelling.
Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Preliminaries, the complete schedule and preview are provided here. Click here to see the complete list of events in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In addition, we have selected several games and provided detailed predictions for each. Let’s look into it.
Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Preliminary Rounds
Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminaries:
Slovakia vs Finland
Date: 11 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Sweden vs Italy
Date: 12 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Switzerland vs France
Date: 12 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Czechia vs Canada
Date: 12 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Latvia vs. the United States
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Germany vs Denmark
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Finland vs Sweden
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Italy vs Slovakia
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
France vs Czechia
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Canada vs Switzerland
Date: 14 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Sweden vs Slovakia
Date: 14 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Germany vs Latvia
Date: 14 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Finland vs Italy
Date: 14 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
United States vs Denmark
Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Switzerland vs Czechia
Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Canada vs France
Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Denmark vs Latvia
Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 11:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
United States vs Germany
Date: 15 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Women’s Ice Hockey Preliminaries:
Japan vs Italy
Date: 09 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Germany vs France
Date: 09 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Switzerland vs. the United States
Date: 10 February 2026
Time: 01:10 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Canada vs Czechia
Date: 10 February 2026
Time: 01:40 a.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Japan vs Sweden
Date: 10 February 2026
Time: 04:40 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Italy vs Germany
Date: 10 February 2026
Time: 09:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Canada vs. the United States
Date: 11 February 2026
Time: 12:40 a.m. EST
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Finland vs Switzerland
Date: 11 February 2026
Time: 01:40 p.m. EST (+1d)
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Finland vs Canada
Date: 12 February 2026
Time: 07:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Qualifiers, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, and Final
The women’s Winter Olympic ice hockey division has its quarterfinals, semifinals, and final scheduled.
Similarly, the men’s Winter Olympic ice hockey games are also planned for the upcoming legs, following the preliminaries. They have a qualifier round on 17 February 2026. After that, they have the knockout stage up to the final event.
Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Format and Points-Basis
With twelve countries taking part in the Winter Olympic Ice Hockey events, the top-seeded countries qualify for the knockout stage.
For each regulation win, three points are awarded to the winner. If the win is in overtime, two points are awarded. A single point will be given for overtime loss. Lastly, no points for regulation defeat.
2026 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Preview
Women’s Division
Switzerland vs. the United States
The women’s US ice hockey team had already won twice in the Winter Olympic Ice Hockey preliminaries. They are ready to win for the third time in their game against Switzerland. Their puck control and movement are fast-paced yet deliberate. Their assists and chance creation are also elite, as seen in their previous game against Czechia.
But Switzerland’s run in the preliminaries is not convincing. Recently, they lost to the Canadians, unable to handle their dominance. Due to a penalty for the Swiss women’s team, the Canadians were able to score past a goalless period.
Considering both nations, the United Nations women’s hockey team seems stronger. Therefore, they will secure a third consecutive win.
Men’s Division
Latvia vs. the United States
The USA has an NHL-loaded squad with more domestic experience. Led by captain Auston Matthews, the US National Men’s Ice Hockey team brings a unified squad. Technically, their scoring ability is high, and they also have a solid defensive front.
Latvia arrives in confidence against the US. Their squad remains composed under pressure and is more likely to score early. But their quality is not as deep as that of the United States. They will likely struggle against the US men’s team and their scoring efficiency.
As a result, the United States will win the Winter Olympic Ice Hockey game against Latvia.
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