NHL, NHLPA and Lega Serie A collaborate on content plan ahead of 2026 Olympics in Italy
The National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association are laying out a plan to help grow the hype for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
On Tuesday, the two entities are partnering with Lega Serie A, the top football league in Italy, to collaborate on promotional activities ahead of next year’s Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, featuring NHL players for the first time in 12 years.
The @NHL, @NHLPA and @SerieA today announced that they will collaborate on several events and promotional activities ahead of the participation by NHL players at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
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A lot of the focus will be centered around the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour. This year, it will be held in Milan on Aug. 22, a day before Serie A kicks off the 2025-26 season. Stars from the pitch will come together with today’s best on the ice in numerous events aimed at growing the country’s attention to hockey, highlighting the connection between world-class athletes from both sports.
CEO and Managing Director of Lega Serie A USA, Andy Mitchell, pointed out that the hardcore fan bases in both sports will drive interest for the tournament in Italy.
“In North America, both soccer and hockey have incredibly dedicated, passionate fan bases,” Mitchell said in a release. “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…By bringing Lega Serie A legends and NHL stars together, we aim to create a synergy that showcases the best of each league, creating an unforgettable experience for fans on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Among the events planned, NHLers will have the opportunity to visit the training grounds of Serie A’s top clubs, along with experiencing a league match at the famous San Siro Stadium, home to European powerhouses AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Keith Wachtel, President, NHL Business, is enthusiastic about the upcoming collaboration.
“As a global sport with players from 21 countries,” Wachtel explained. “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.”