Organizers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics face mounting challenges with the ice hockey venue, including construction delays and potential safety issues. The venue, Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, is behind schedule, forcing relocation of test events. Concerns arise regarding the smaller rink size (60 meters by 26 meters) compared to NHL standards, potentially impacting player safety and game dynamics. Despite these issues, the NHL is expected to participate, and the International Ice Hockey Federation implemented mandatory neck guards. The timeline is tight, with the venue handover date uncertain, and no 'plan B' is available. The competition is scheduled for February 2026.

NHL stars will return to the Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina 2026 after a 12-year absence. Sam Reinhart, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, expressed his excitement about representing Canada. The NHL had barred its players from PyeongChang 2018 due to disagreements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and withdrew from Beijing 2022 due to the pandemic. A recent agreement confirmed NHL players' participation in Milano-Cortina 2026.

The NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF have reached an agreement with the support of the International Olympic Committee to allow NHL players to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking their return after a 12-year absence since Sochi 2014. The agreement has been welcomed by national federations and players, and the US has already named six NHL players to its preliminary roster. The parties hope for continued participation in 2030 and 2034.

The schedule for the men's and women's ice hockey tournaments at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games has been released. The women's tournament will run from February 5-19, and the men's tournament from February 11-22. Twelve teams will compete in the men's tournament, and ten teams in the women's tournament. In collaboration with the International Ice Hockey Federation, the NHL, the NHL Players' Association and the International Olympic Committee, the first six players selected by each of the 12 national federations competing in the men's tournament were also revealed. IIHF President Luc Tardif and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman welcomed NHL players back to the Olympic Winter Games.

Russia is awaiting a final decision from the IOC regarding its participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament. Despite the IIHF President's comments suggesting a negative outcome, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation states it has not received official notification. The IIHF has prepared a tournament schedule without Russia, and Finland is expected to take Russia's place if the ban remains. The IOC's final decision is pending, complicated by the ongoing sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine.