Who are the favorites and underdogs heading into the men's and women's 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournaments?

MILAN (AP) — All the worries, strife and scrutiny that lingered around the construction of the main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics dissipated as the first game there into a celebration for the host country.

This year’s women’s tournament is one of the most highly anticipated events in recent memory. Not only because of the excitement of the United States taking on Canada, but also because of the introduction of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, players from all around the globe are showing their talents nightly.

Three US Olympic bodies have changed the name of their shared athlete hospitality space at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics from “Ice House” to “Winter House,” following widespread protests in both Italy and the US over the role and conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Hayley Scamurra scored twice, and the United States opened the Milan Cortina Games women’s hockey tournament with a 5-1 win over Czechia.

With puck drop around the corner, The Athletic asked its hockey staff for their bold predictions for the Milan Cortina Olympics.

MILAN (AP) — The main ice hockey arena for the Winter Olympics is finally ready. Although the NHL players might feel as if they’re skating on a lake. Construction delays and other concerns about the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena have drawn headlines for months ahead of the NHL returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014 and the women’s tournament opening on Thursday.