The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan delivered a historic moment for sports broadcasting, as the men's hockey gold medal game between Team USA and Canada captivated an estimated 35 million viewers across North America. This thrilling overtime clash, which saw the Americans triumph 2-1, emerged as the most-watched event of the entire Games, highlighting the enduring appeal of this fierce international rivalry.
Record-Breaking Viewership Numbers
At its peak, the game attracted approximately 26 million viewers in the United States tuning in via NBC and Peacock, setting a new record as the most-watched sporting event in U.S. history with a start time before 9 a.m. EST. This figure also marks it as NBC Sports' second-most watched hockey game ever. In Canada, an impressive 8.7 million people were glued to their screens during the overtime period, showcasing widespread national interest.
Even beyond North America, the match proved to be a global sensation. In Czechia, a neutral market, it drew 2.5 million viewers, nearly a quarter of the country's population, underscoring the universal draw of Olympic hockey.
Comparison to Previous Olympics
Despite these staggering numbers, the 2026 viewership did not surpass the historic Vancouver 2010 gold medal game. That iconic match, where Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal for Canada in overtime, peaked at 27.6 million viewers in the U.S. and 16.6 million in Canada. However, broadcasters consider the Milan game a massive success due to the challenging early morning time slot in North America, with some fans waking up as early as 5 a.m. to watch. In contrast, the Vancouver game began at 3:15 p.m. ET, a more accessible prime-time afternoon slot.
Women's Hockey Also Shines
The women's gold medal final also set new benchmarks for viewership. Averaging 5.3 million viewers in the U.S., with a peak of 7.7 million during Megan Keller's golden goal, the game saw a nearly 50% increase in U.S. viewership compared to the 3.54 million who watched the women's final in Beijing. In Canada, CBC reported a peak of 4.2 million viewers, further demonstrating the growing popularity of women's hockey on the Olympic stage.
This record-breaking viewership for both men's and women's hockey underscores the sport's pivotal role in the Winter Olympics, drawing millions of fans despite logistical challenges like time zones. The intense rivalry between the U.S. and Canada continues to drive engagement, making these games a cornerstone of Olympic broadcasting success.
