It’ll be the first time since 2014 that national hockey players have been allowed to compete.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β With six months to go before the 2026 Winter Olympics, excitement is building, Β and so is the debate over the return of professional athletes to the international stage.
Itβs official: National Hockey LeagueΒ players will compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, marking their first Olympic appearance since Sochi 2014.
Playing for oneβs 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 itβs in the spirit of the Games.
So let’s verify: What’s changing for the 2026 games in Italy?
OUR SOURCES:
WHAT WE FOUND:
The IOC confirmed in July that NHL players will be eligible to participate in next yearβs tournament. The IOC, along with Team USA, verified that changes in Olympic eligibility rules have opened the door for professionals to compete.
Originally, the Olympics were strictly for amateur athletes. But beginning in the 1970s, the IOC began to ease its restrictions, allowing professionals to compete in certain sports. By the 1988 Games, all professional athletes were officially permitted to participate.
There are still requirements. Olympic athletes must be citizens of the countries they represent and must comply with international anti-doping regulations. The IOC says allowing pros helps attract top-tier talent and boosts the Gamesβ commercial appeal.
Each Olympic hockey team carries 25 players. While some members of Team USA have already been selected, fans are still waiting to see if any players from the Carolina Hurricanes will make the final roster.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X andΒ Instagram.
Download WCNC+ on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, and stream the news that impacts you for free.