Serie A, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have formed a collaboration to prepare NHL players for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
Several activities were held surrounding the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour in Milan on August 22, one day before the 2025-2026 Serie A season begins on August 23.
Andy Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Lega Serie A USA, said, “In North America, both soccer and hockey have incredibly dedicated, passionate fan bases. This collaboration with the NHL and the NHLPA allows us to engage with a global audience in new and exciting ways while celebrating the anticipation surrounding the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.”
Serie A stars and legends will join NHL players in activities emphasising the similarities between football and hockey players. NHL players will tour the training sites of numerous Serie A clubs in the surrounding region, as well as attend a Serie A match at the San Siro, which will host the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony.
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be the first time NHL players have competed in the Olympics since the Sochi Winter Games in 2014. In recent years, the NHL has expanded its presence in Europe with the Global Series, which has included regular-season games in Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic, as well as exhibitions in Germany and Switzerland.
Keith Wachtel, President, NHL Business, said, “As a global sport with players from 21 countries, the NHL is thrilled to collaborate with Lega Serie A to create unique content that celebrates the intersection of hockey and soccer. With the Winter Olympics on the horizon, Milan will serve as a focal point for sports fans around the world, so we are delighted to take the opportunity to promote our top hockey players in the environments of the biggest sport in Italy.”
