CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With six months to go before the 2026 Winter Olympics , excitement is building, and so is the debate over the return of professional athletes to the international stage.
It’s official: National Hockey League players will compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, marking their first Olympic appearance since Sochi 2014.
Playing for one’s country is considered one of the highest honors in sports. Now, with more professional athletes being allowed into the Olympics, some fans are celebrating, while others are questioning whether it’s in the spirit of the Games.
So let's verify : What's changing for the 2026 games in Italy?
OUR SOURCES:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Team USA
WHAT WE FOUND:
The IOC confirmed in July that NHL players will be