2026 Women's Olympic Hockey Schedule: Key Dates & Matches
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, promise to be a thrilling showcase for women's ice hockey. With powerhouse nations like Canada and the USA leading the charge, the tournament will feature intense rivalries, breakout stars, and high-stakes drama. As a Canadian fan, you'll want to mark your calendar for every puck drop. This comprehensive guide breaks down the full schedule, key matchups, and what to expect from the eight competing teams. Whether you're tuning in via TSN or streaming live, here's everything you need to know about the women's Olympic hockey schedule.
Tournament Overview
The women's hockey tournament kicks off on February 6, 2026, at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, running through the gold medal final on February 16. Eight teams will compete in a round-robin preliminary round, divided into two groups of four. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals, with quarterfinals for the third and fourth seeds. This format ensures edge-of-your-seat action from day one, with no byes for the elite squads.
Canada, the defending champions from 2022 in Beijing, enters as favorites. Led by stars like Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse, Team Canada aims for a record-extending fifth straight Olympic gold. The USA, with Kendall Coyne Schofield and a deep roster, is hungry for revenge after their 3-2 loss in the 2022 final. Other contenders include Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and newcomers like Japan and Slovakia, adding unpredictability to the mix.
All games will be broadcast in Canada on TSN and Sportsnet, with streaming options on TSN+. Times are in EST for eastern Canada viewers, but adjust for your timezone—Pacific fans add three hours.
Preliminary Round Schedule
The preliminary round spans February 6-11, with each team playing three games. Groups are set as follows: Group A (Canada, USA, Czechia, Japan) and Group B (Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark). Expect packed arenas and global viewership exceeding 10 million per game.
Group A Matches
- February 6, 5:00 PM EST: Canada vs. Japan – Canada opens against a resilient Japan squad, fresh off their 2022 quarterfinal upset. Poulin's leadership will shine early.
- February 7, 8:00 PM EST: USA vs. Czechia – The Americans face Czechia's Tereza Vanickova, a scoring machine from the Czech Extraliga, in a potential goal-fest.
- February 8, 3:00 PM EST: Japan vs. Czechia – An underdog battle where Japan's speed could challenge Czechia's physicality.
- February 9, 7:00 PM EST: Canada vs. USA – The marquee rivalry! This 'Miracle on Ice' rematch could decide Group A supremacy. In 2022, it went to overtime—expect the same drama.
- February 10, 5:00 PM EST: Japan vs. USA – USA looks to rebound if needed, but Japan's penalty kill (85% in qualifiers) will test their power play.
- February 11, 8:00 PM EST: Czechia vs. Canada – Canada closes group play against a Czech team bolstered by NHL-adjacent talent like Aneta Tesarcikova.
Group B Matches
- February 6, 8:00 PM EST: Finland vs. Slovakia – Finland's Ella Viitasuo, a Liiga Women star, leads against debutants Slovakia.
- February 7, 5:00 PM EST: Sweden vs. Denmark – Nordic neighbors clash in a battle of grit; Sweden's Lina Ljungblom is a sniper to watch.
- February 8, 7:00 PM EST: Slovakia vs. Denmark – Two underdogs fighting for a quarterfinal spot.
- February 9, 3:00 PM EST: Finland vs. Sweden – A classic Scandinavian showdown; Finland seeks revenge for 2022's bronze loss.
- February 10, 8:00 PM EST: Slovakia vs. Sweden – Sweden's depth should prevail, but Slovakia's goaltender could steal the show.
- February 11, 5:00 PM EST: Denmark vs. Finland – Denmark's Nicoline Sorensen, playing in the PWHL, adds intrigue.
Playoff Schedule: Semifinals to Medal Games
Post-preliminaries, the action intensifies at the PalaOlimpico in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Quarterfinals (February 12, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST)
Third-place teams from each group face off against the second-place from the opposite group. Winners advance to semis; losers fight in the fifth-place game.
Semifinals (February 14, 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM EST)
- Match 1: Group A Winner vs. Group B Runner-Up
- Match 2: Group B Winner vs. Group A Runner-Up
Canada or USA likely here—brace for defensive masterclasses from netminders like Ann-Renée Desbiens (Canada) and Aerin Frankel (USA).
Bronze and Gold Medal Games (February 16)
- Bronze Medal: 10:00 AM EST – Losers of semis battle for third.
- Gold Medal Final: 3:00 PM EST – The ultimate prize. If it's Canada-USA again, expect national holidays in both countries.
Closing ceremonies follow at 8:00 PM EST, capping a tournament projected to draw 2 million live attendees across venues.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
Beyond the schedule, the real excitement lies in the stories. The Canada-USA game on February 9 is unmissable—it's not just hockey; it's history. Canada boasts PWHL MVPs like Natalie Spooner, while the USA counters with Hilary Knight's veteran savvy.
For underdogs, watch Czechia's Denisa Krizova, a KHL standout with Olympic pedigree, or Finland's Petra Nieminen, whose shot rivals the men's pros. Non-PWHLers like Sweden's Sofie Olofsson could emerge as heroes, echoing the upsets of past non-NHL men's tournaments.
Betting odds favor Canada at -150 for gold, but with international depth growing, anything's possible. Fantasy players: Prioritize multi-category scorers like Nurse for daily lineups.
How to Follow in Canada
As a CA-based fan, catch every goal on TSN's coverage, including pre-game analysis from Hayley Wickenheiser. For live updates, follow @HockeyCanada on X. Venues are accessible via high-speed trains from Toronto or Vancouver hubs—book early!
This 2026 schedule isn't just dates; it's a celebration of women's hockey's global rise. From prelim thrills to medal glory, Milano will etch new legends. Stay tuned—who will claim the gold?
