One of the most exciting events in the winter Olympics is ice hockey. This is likely because it is the sport that fans see more often throughout the year and are most familiar with.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is also the event that has created some of the most iconic memories at the Winter Games. While many may tune in to the NHL in between Olympics for their hockey itch, those tuning in to the Olympics may notice some differences.<\/p>\n
While the size of a hockey rink is standardized in the NHL, there is a difference between the NHL rink and the rinks\u00a0used at the 2026 Olympics in Italy. The rinks in Italy are noticeably smaller than NHL rinks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here is more on why the Olympics are using a smaller hockey rink than the NHL does.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker<\/a> | Viewer’s guide<\/a> | Day-by-day schedule<\/a><\/p>\n NHL hockey rink size<\/p>\n An NHL hockey rink’s size has been standardized since 1929. It measures 200 ft. long by 85 ft. wide.<\/p>\n This is longer than the International Ice Hockey Federation regulations, which come in at 60m long, or 196.85 ft. The difference is the width. While NHL rinks are 85 ft. wide, IIHF rinks are 30m, or 98.43 feet wide. This would be 13 feet wider than NHL rinks.\u00a0<\/p>\n MORE: Olympic women’s hockey scores, standings<\/a><\/p>\n Milan Olympic hockey rink size<\/p>\n While international hockey rinks are considered larger than NHL rinks, being two feet shorter and 13 feet wider, the 2026 Olympics in Italy went a different direction.<\/p>\n The Winter Games opted to utilize a hybrid rink. They decided to go with 60m, or 196.85 ft., in length and 26m, 85.3 ft., in width. This makes it slightly smaller than the NHL rink, and significantly smaller than typical IIHF rinks.<\/p>\n MORE: Youngest, oldest U.S. Olympians on Team USA<\/a><\/p>\n Olympic hockey rink vs. NHL<\/p>\n