NY Islanders and UBS Arena to host Super Bowl style media day as Olympic sendoff

The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina is officially on, and the NHL plans to give its players a send-off on par with the world’s biggest sporting stages.

For the first time in more than a decade, over 100 of the league’s top stars will represent their countries at the Olympics, marking the NHL’s full return to the Games after its absence in 2018 and 2022. To celebrate, the league will host a Super Bowl-style media day in February at the home of the New York Islanders, UBS Arena.

Much like the NFL’s “Opening Night,” the event will be open to fans, offering them a rare opportunity to see their favorite players up close before they depart for Italy. “This will be more than just a press conference,” said NHL President of Content & Events Steve Mayer. “It’s a fan experience, a send-off, and a celebration of the global stage our players are about to step onto.”

The initiative is part of the NHL’s broader strategy to maximize its return from the Olympics. The league views the Games as an opportunity not only to showcase its elite talent but also to connect with new audiences and expand hockey’s global reach. By staging a festival-like event in New York, the NHL aims to capture the spotlight in the weeks leading up to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Fans can expect entertainment, interactive elements, and plenty of behind-the-scenes content — all designed to blend tradition with modern spectacle. While this is a shift from the original plan for the All-Star game to be held in February at UBS Arena, the event adds another marquee moment to its young history, cementing its status as one of the league’s premier venues.

The arena will host an "All-Star Style" event in 2027 as the league potentially reimagines All-Star weekend following the success of the Four-Nations face-off last February.