The 2026 version of the Winter Olympics in Italy is one of the most exciting in years, with the action spread over various venues in the north of the country. While there are many events that catch the eye, many sports fans are already pointing to ice hockey as being the star for a number of reasons.

The Return of the NHL Stars 

The last three men’s hockey events in the Winter Olympics have lacked the star appeal of the big names from the NHL. This means that the likes of Connor McDavid (Canada) and Auston Matthews (USA) have finally got their chance to shine on the biggest global stage.

Both Canada and the US are sending arguably their strongest rosters ever. Behind them, the likes of Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Czechia all have strong rosters too, which suggests a well-balanced event where any one of the leading teams could claim the gold medal.

A similar effect can be seen in the women’s event, where Canada and the US are both incredibly strong, but Switzerland, Finland, and Czechia are all forces to be reckoned with too.  Ice hockey fans love watching their favorite sport, and this event lets us see the world’s top players do battle in a new setting. 

Live-Streaming and Sports Betting Availability

This is going to be arguably the most media-friendly Winter Olympics of all time, with live streams and extensive television coverage allowing fans from all over the planet to enjoy the hockey action. Drones, artificial intelligence replays, and cinematic cameras are listed in this report by the International Olympics Committee as being among the key techniques designed to keep fans at home on the edge of their seats while watching the spectacle unfold.

These are also the first Winter Olympics in which many people will be able to bet on the outcome, as legal sportsbooks have been launched across many states in recent years. These promotions from DraftKings Sportsbook show how new members can collect a welcome bonus, giving them bonus bets when they make their first deposit and wager. They need to win the first bet to collect bonus bets, meaning that playing it safe and opting for a favorite is probably a good idea.   

Hockey fans can catch all of the live action or follow it on social media and live betting sites. It’s a multi-media experience that ensures that we get to live the thrills and spills of this sport all the way through to the gold medal games. 

The New Sports and Events

Ice hockey might be the star, but 2026 has seen some new events added to the Winter Olympics that make it more attractive by giving it even more variety. Ski mountaineering, known as skimo, is arguably the most eye-catching sport, making its first appearance and is explained here by Outside Magazine. This is an endurance test where athletes hike up the hill and then ski back down it. We can also watch the dual moguls, the women’s large hill ski jumping, the women’s doubles in luge, and mixed team skeleton making their debuts this year. 

This all adds up to make it an event that contains many of the classic sports but enough fresh twists to make it feel different from the past.