By Karolos Grohmann MILAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) - NHL players from several nations have started arriving at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics for their first Games participation in 12 years but the International Olympic Committee is hoping they become a feature of future editions.

Sweden looks to lock up first place in Group B when they face France on Sunday, as women’s ice hockey action continues at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is Friday, along with mixed doubles curling, figure skating and training for Alpine skiing, luge and ski jumping.

The Winter House, which until last week was supposed to be called the “Ice House,” is a hospitality destination created for Team USA athletes, their families and partners throughout the Olympics in Milan Cortina. It’s a joint venture because they are the only three Olympic sports taking place in Milan.

MILAN (AP) — Italian police fired tear gas and a water cannon at dozens of protesters who threw firecrackers and tried to access a highway near a Winter Olympics venue on Saturday. The brief confrontation came at the end of a peaceful march by thousands against the environmental impact of the Games and the presence of U.

HBO's gay hockey romance series 'Heated Rivalry' was a breakout hit—and it's already boosting sales for the sport, just in time for Milan's winter games.

In today’s newsletter: What to expect at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, as the Games officially get going.

The men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina runs from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22, 2026. The USA opens group play against Latvia on Feb. 12, followed by Denmark on Feb. 14 and Germany on Feb. 15, before the tournament shifts to a single-elimination format that will ultimately decide gold on Feb. 22.