The schedule for the women’s tournament at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy was released by the IIHF today, kicking off hockey at the Olympics on Thursday, 05 February.

Playing with a ten-team tournament for the second straight at the Olympics, the first day sees hosts Italy open the tournament against France, the final addition to the tournament, replacing Russia, who was formally suspended by the IOC from team activities in Milan. Group A then opens later that day, first with the defending world champion United States facing Czechia, followed by the defending Olympic champions Canada facing Finland.

The playoff rounds will begin eight days later, with all teams in Group A and the top three teams in Group B advancing to the medal round, where Canada will look to repeat as champions and win their sixth Olympic title, while Team USA will look for revenge following their Beijing loss and win their first Gold since 2018.

The tournament schedule, with the majority of games to be played at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena (unless denoted otherwise), is as follows:

The IHLC for the tournament will be brought to Italy likely by the U.S. or Canada (as has been the case at all previous Olympics), as they will be facing each other, as well as potentially other nations, in pre-Olympic Rivalry Series games in November and December of this year. The path to Milan is now paved, and who brings the IHLC to the Games will soon be very clear!

* Game to be held at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena

Photo Credit: Dezeen – IIHF – HHOF – IOC