An eventful season awaits the Azzurri. © Vanna Antonello

Olympics and World Cup: Italy's ice hockey ahead of a mammoth season

Italy's national ice hockey team is facing one of the most exciting and toughest seasons in decades. This is what the Azzurri's schedule looks like this winter.

September 10, 2025

From: pm/sn

For the first time since 2006, the team will compete in both the Winter Olympics and the Top Division World Championship. The Milan-Cortina Games and the World Championship in Switzerland mark two milestones on the long road back to the top of the world.

Before the big highlights, the Azzurri will face two international friendly tournaments: From November 3rd to 9th, Italy will play against the hosts, Great Britain and Slovenia, in Poland. Another tournament will follow in December (8th to 14th) in Hungary, with matches against Hungary, Poland, and France.

Italy trusts Jalonen. © Vanna Antonello

Both tournaments serve to build the team's Olympic squad and are intended to further develop the team's dynamics under the leadership of head coach Jukka Jalonen. A total of six matches and 14 days of joint training are scheduled – valuable time to hone their skills.

Olympic opener against Sweden

The preparatory camp for the Olympics begins on February 2, 2026. Two days later, a friendly against Germany will take place in Bolzano. The team will then move to the Olympic Village in Milan. In the preliminary round (Group B), Italy will face Sweden (February 11.2), Slovakia (February 13.2), and Finland (February 14.2).

World Championship in Switzerland

Immediately following, the focus shifts to the top-division World Cup in Switzerland – with Italian participation for the first time since 2022. Preparations begin on April 12. This will be followed by friendly matches against Austria, France, and Great Britain – including two home games at the newly renovated Palalbani in Varese (May 10 and 12).

What has the national team achieved this season? © Vanna Antonello

The preliminary round of the World Cup begins in Freiburg on May 16. There, Italy will face some of the best teams in the world – with the chance to prove themselves at the highest level.

Conclusion: An intense and challenging season awaits the Italian team. But with the right mix of focus, team spirit, and form, 2025/26 could become a historic chapter in Italian ice hockey.