NHL returning to Olympics, finalizes 4 Nations Face-Off

Hockey fans pining for best-on-best international competition finally have something to look forward to.

The NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF announced on Friday that the world's top players will participate in the 2026 and 2030 Olympics. Plans for the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 were also finalized.

The NHL hasn't participated in a best-on-best tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Players haven't been to the Olympics since Sochi in 2014. An agreement for them to attend the 2022 Games in Beijing was foiled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 4 Nations Face-Off will feature Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden. It's set to take place over nine days next February in two North American cities and will include a three-game round robin before a winner-take-all final. The tournament will void next year's All-Star festivities.

The NHL and NHLPA hope Friday's announcements will launch a new international calendar that would include a best-on-best tournament every two years. The organizations intend to host full World Cups in 2028 and 2032, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Russia's status for 2026 Olympic hockey is up in the air, but IIHF president Luc Tardif said there will be a council meeting next week to determine if the country can participate in any sooner events, such as this year's world championships.

The 2026 Olympics are set to take place in Milan, Italy, and Tardif said the 2030 Games will be in France, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.