2026 Winter Olympics: Neck guards to be mandatory in ice hockey events

Neck guards have previously been optional in Olympic competition, while in other competitions around the world they are not required.

While the guards are compulsory at youth international level, having to wear the guards will be a new experience at elite level for some of the world’s best players.

The British Elite League has not made them mandatory, despite the fatal incident involving Johnson occurring in their competition, and they are not yet required in the North America’s National Hockey League (NHL).

The NHL – regarded as the number one league in the world – will make the guards mandatory for new players, external entering the competition from the 2026-27 season onwards. However, those who already play in the league will not need to wear the protective equipment.

NHL players will feature at next year’s Milan-Cortina Olympics,, external having not appeared at the past two Games because of disruption to the domestic season in 2018 and concern over coronavirus at Beijing 2022.

The Olympic ice hockey competition will take place in Milan between 5 and 22 February 2026.