The road to gold is officially set in the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament. With the preliminary round complete, the knockout stage begins — and from here on out, it’s single elimination. One loss, and the Olympic dream is over.
Below is a complete breakdown of the 2026 Winter Olympic men’s hockey bracket, including qualifying-round matchups, quarterfinal seeds, semifinal structure, and medal game schedule.
Qualifying Round (Tuesday)
The knockout stage opens with four high-stakes qualifying games. The winners advance to the quarterfinals to face the top four seeds.
- No. 5 Switzerland vs. No. 12 Italy
- No. 6 Germany vs. No. 11 France
- No. 7 Sweden vs. No. 10 Latvia
- No. 8 Czechia vs. No. 9 Denmark
Quarterfinals (Wednesday)
The top four seeds — Canada, United States, Slovakia, and Finland — await the winners of the qualifying round.
- No. 1 Canada vs. Winner of Czechia–Denmark
- No. 2 United States vs. Winner of Sweden–Latvia
- No. 3 Slovakia vs. Winner of Germany–France
- No. 4 Finland vs. Winner of Switzerland–Italy
Semifinals (Friday)
The semifinal format is determined by reseeding after the quarterfinals:
- Top-seeded quarterfinal winner vs. Lowest-seeded quarterfinal winner
- Second-highest seed vs. Third-highest seed
Medal Games Schedule
Bronze Medal Game
- Matchup: Semifinal losers
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
- Time: 2:40 p.m. ET
Gold Medal Game
- Matchup: Semifinal winners
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 22
- Time: 8:10 a.m. ET
Teams to Watch in the 2026 Olympic Hockey Bracket
- Canada (No. 1 seed): Historically dominant in Olympic play and entering the knockout stage as the top seed.
- United States (No. 2 seed): A balanced roster with speed and depth, positioned for a strong medal run.
- Finland (No. 4 seed): Known for disciplined defensive structure and elite goaltending.
- Sweden & Czechia: Potential upset threats capable of shaking up the bracket.
How the Olympic Hockey Bracket Works
The 12-team field transitions from group play into a seeded knockout format:
- Top four teams receive quarterfinal byes.
- Seeds 5–12 compete in a qualifying round.
- The bracket is reseeded after the quarterfinals.
- Winners advance to semifinals, then medal games.
Every game from this point forward is win-or-go-home — making each shift, power play, and overtime period crucial.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey bracket sets the stage for thrilling elimination games and unforgettable medal-round moments. Whether it’s a heavyweight clash between traditional powers or a Cinderella run from a lower seed, the path to gold promises world-class hockey action.
Stay tuned for live results, bracket updates, and medal-round coverage as the Olympic hockey tournament unfolds.