NHL cancels NY Islanders hosted Olympic send-off event at UBS Arena

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan first reported — and a New York Islanders spokesperson later confirmed to beat writers — that the NHL has canceled the previously planned Olympic send-off event at UBS Arena ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The venue will still host the 2027 NHL All-Star Game, which is expected to feature a traditional skills competition and All-Star format rather than something inspired by last season's Four Nations Face-Off.

The now-scrapped event had been billed as a Super-Bowl-style “Opening Night” for the NHL’s returning Olympians — the league’s first full participation in the Games since 2014. It was to bring more than 100 players under one roof for a fan-attended media spectacle before they flew to Milan-Cortina. The league had publicly framed the concept as both a marketing play and a moment to celebrate the global stage NHL talent was returning to. Instead, the league has shifted away from the send-off concept entirely. No replacement event has been announced.

UBS Arena still remains central to the league’s near-term tent-pole calendar. The 2027 All-Star Weekend will continue as planned in Elmont, giving the Islanders’ home a marquee event without the overlap with the Olympics. The All-Star designation further cements UBS Arena — one of the NHL’s newest buildings — as a destination for league-wide showcases.

The timing may end up being perfect for the Islanders franchise. With 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer grabbing national attention due to a historic start, the stars are aligning for a 19-year-old Schaefer being able to skate as an All-Star on his home ice. Now that would be worth the wait.