NHL Cancels 2026 All-Star Game, Plans Olympics 'Kickoff' Event

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that the previously scheduled 2026 NHL All-Star Weekend at UBS Arena will be replaced with a special event serving as a 'kickoff going to the Olympics,' though the exact format remains undetermined and is not expected to be a hockey competition. This shift follows the overwhelming success of the 4 Nations Face-Off international tournament and is partly due to the proximity of the 2026 Winter Olympics, where NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014. The league chose to avoid holding a traditional All-Star Game that would likely be overshadowed by the Olympics and the recent success of the 4 Nations tournament. The Islanders, who had hoped to showcase their facility with a marquee league event, are still expected to benefit from hosting whatever form the Olympic kickoff event takes. Looking ahead, the NHL plans to operate in two-year cycles for international events, with the Olympics set for 2026 and 2030 and a World Cup in 2028, while All-Star Games may be held in the intervening odd years. Bettman emphasized that final details for the 2026 event are still being worked out, but the league aims to maintain high standards for fan engagement.