In 2026, NHL players are set to return to the olympics after a 12-year absence since the 2014 Sochi Games. The tournament was confirmed and it will reclaim the best-on-best title after the NHL Players' Association finalized an agreement with the IIHF and IOC in Zurich, Switzerland in July.

Players will head to Europe after the conclusion of regular season NHL play on February 5th, taking over where the typical all star break would coincide.

They will return to NHL play on February 25 after the coronation of an Olympic men's ice hockey champion.

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The 2025-26 NHL season is going to be a bit different with the addition of a break to accommodate the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here's what to know.

When Does The NHL Season Pause For The Winter Olympics 2026

The National Hockey League (NHL) 2025-26 season will take a pause after the conclusion of games on Thursday, February 5th, through Wednesday, February 25.

The break will accommodate the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey games, scheduled from February 11-22 in Italy. Here are some more important dates for the upcoming NHL season.

Key Dates For The 2025-26 NHL Season

• October 7 - First regular season games
• January 2 - 2026 Winter Classic, Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers
• February 1 - 2026 Stadium Series, Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins
• February 5 - Last games before break 
• February 11-22 - 2026 Winter Olympics
• February 25 - Games return from break
• April 16 - Last regular season games
• April - Start of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
• June - 2026 Stanley Cup Finals

When and Where Are The Winter Olympics - Milano Cortina 2026?

The 2026 Winter Olympics, known as Milano Cortina 2026, is scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026. 

Preliminary hockey rounds will begin on Thursday, February 5. Competition will continue throughout the week and conclude with the women's gold medal match on Thursday, February 19. The men's gold medal match will be played on Sunday, February 22 at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place at multiple sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy. Ice events will be hosted in Milan and other events to be hosted around Cortina and in the Valtellina and Fiemme valleys across Italy.

The joint-host were selected in 2019 and are the first Olympic Games to be co-hosted by multiple cities.

When does the 2025-26 NHL season start?

The 2025-26 NHL regular season begins play on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 with three games:

• Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers at 5:00 p.m. ET
• Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET

When Is the 2026 Winter Classic?

The 2026 Winter Classic featuring Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers is scheduled for January 2, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL.

When Is the 2026 Stadium Series Game?

The 2026 Stadium Series game featuring Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins is scheduled for February 1, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Who Won The Stanley Cup Playoffs In 2025?

The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025. The defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Who was the first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft?

The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft was made by the New York Islanders, who picked Matthew Schaefer, an elite defenseman with expert puck movement skills.

Other Overall Top Picks In 2025

1. Matthew Schaefer (D) - New York Islanders
2. Michael Misa (C) - San Jose Sharks
3. Anton Frondell (C) - Chicago Blackhawks
4. Caleb Desnoyers (C) - Utah Mammoth
5. Brady Martin (C) - Nashville Predators
6. Porter Martone (RW) - Philadelphia Flyers
7. James Hagens (C) - Boston Bruins
8. Jake O'Brien (C) - Seattle Kraken
9. Radim Mrtka (D) - Buffalo Sabres
10. Roger McQueen (C) - Anaheim Ducks

When is the 2026 NHL Draft?

The 64th annual NHL Entry Draft is expected to be held in the summer of 2026. In 2025, it was held on June 27 and 28.

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