For Canadians, the women’s national hockey team is a symbol of consistent excellence. Their rivalry with the United States is widely considered the greatest in all of sports. After reclaiming the top of the podium at the 2022 Games in Beijing, Team Canada enters Milan 2026 with one goal: a repeat performance.
The 2026 roster is a powerhouse blend of veterans and PWHL superstars. Led by “Captain Canada” Marie-Philip Poulin, the squad features scoring machines like Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner. Since the launch of the PWHL, these players are sharper and more battle-tested than ever, entering the Olympics in peak professional form.
Because the games take place in Italy, fans in North America will need to prepare for early morning starts. Here’s how to catch every shift, save, and goal.
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What channel is Team Canada Women’s Hockey on?
During most of the four-year cycle—including the IIHF Women’s World Championship and the Rivalry Series—TSN and RDS are the exclusive homes for Team Canada games. But coverage expands significantly for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
As the official Olympic rights holder, CBC takes the lead this February, partnering with TSN and Sportsnet to ensure wall-to-wall coverage.
- CBC: As the official Olympic home, CBC will provide the primary broadcast for all Team Canada games. Expect high-production value and expert Canadian analysis.
- TSN & Sportsnet: These networks will carry extensive live coverage and provide deep-dive panels featuring former Olympians to break down the “Battle of the Border.”
- CBC Gem: The essential streaming tool. CBC Gem provides free live streams of every single game and full-game replays—crucial for any early start times.
- Radio-Canada: For French-language coverage, ICI Télé and ICI Tou.tv provide full live broadcasts with dedicated commentary.
Living south of the border? You can stream Team Canada’s Olympic matches live on Peacock in the U.S. For traditional TV viewing, select games may air across NBC, CNBC, and USA Network.
2026 Canada Women’s Hockey TV schedule
Unlike professional club teams that play weekly, the national team gathers only sporadically for tournaments and showcase series. That often means long waits between competitions. Fortunately, 2026 is an Olympic year, so fans are treated to a condensed, action-packed schedule as the team unites in Milan to defend its gold medal.
The women’s Olympic tournament uses a tiered group format. Team Canada is in Group A, composed of the top five seeded teams in the world. While all Group A teams advance to the quarterfinals, these games determine the critical seeding for the medal round.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Canada TV | U.S. TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 3:10 p.m. | CBC, TSN, Sportsnet | Peacock |
| Switzerland | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 3:10 p.m. | CBC, TSN, SN1 | Peacock, USA Network |
| Czechia | Monday, Feb. 9 | 3:10 p.m. | CBC, TSN, SN1 | Peacock |
| United States | Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 2:10 p.m. | CBC, TSN | Peacock, USA Network |
Data effective as of post date.
Best ways to watch Team Canada Women’s Hockey
Whether you want a free stream for the Winter Games or a TV plan that covers the team year-round, here are my top viewing recommendations.
- Best free option (CBC Gem): For the 2026 Winter Olympics, CBC Gem is unbeaten. It streams every Team Canada game for free and includes a handy “Restart” feature. This lets you start the stream from the beginning, even if the game is already in progress.
- Best for hockey purists (TSN): If you follow the team beyond the Olympics, a standalone TSN subscription is the must-have TV plan. While they partner with CBC for the Winter Games, TSN is the exclusive home for the IIHF Women’s World Championship, the Rivalry Series, and regular-season PWHL games, making it the essential plan for any dedicated fan.
- Best for U.S. viewers (Peacock): If you’re watching from the States, Peacock is the only “catch-all” solution for Olympics coverage. While cable channels like USA Network and CNBC will jump between sports, Peacock guarantees a dedicated, uninterrupted feed of every Team Canada hockey game.
Team Canada Women’s Hockey FAQ
Can I watch Canada women's hockey for free?
Absolutely. In Canada, the Olympics are broadcast publicly. You can watch for free via CBC over-the-air television or through the free version of the CBC Gem app. In the U.S., you can watch NBC games over the air with a digital antenna, but USA Network games on cable require a TV subscription.
Who are the key players to watch?
Marie-Philip Poulin remains the heart of the team. Keep a close eye on Sarah Nurse and the goaltending duo of Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer, as well as rising star Kristen Campbell.
Are PWHL players participating in the Olympics?
Yes! The PWHL officially pauses its season to allow players to represent their national teams. This tournament will be the first Olympics where the entire Canadian roster consists of active professional players from a unified league.
Why does Canada play the U.S. so early in the Olympic tournament?
Under the IIHF tiered format, the top five nations (Group A) play each other in the preliminary round. This ensures that the most competitive matchups happen throughout the entire schedule, rather than just at the end.
Has Team Canada won gold in women's ice hockey recently?
Yes! Canada is the defending Olympic champion, having won gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. They've won five of the seven gold medals awarded since women's hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1998.
