Hockey fans across North America are asking the same question:
Why does the men’s Olympic gold medal game between the United States and Canada start at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday?
With puck drop set for 8:00 a.m. Eastern (5:00 a.m. Pacific), it’s the earliest start either team has faced at the 2026 Winter Olympics — and yes, that means coffee before hockey.
But there’s a straightforward explanation. And it has nothing to do with television networks favoring one country over another.
The Time Zone Factor: Milan Comes First
The gold medal game is being played in Milan, Italy.
- Local start time: 2:00 p.m. CET
- Eastern Time (U.S./Canada): 8:00 a.m. ET
- Pacific Time: 5:00 a.m. PT
Italy operates six hours ahead of Eastern Time and nine hours ahead of the West Coast. What feels early in North America is actually a perfectly reasonable mid-afternoon start for fans attending the game live.
The Olympics are hosted for the benefit of the host nation and global audiences — not solely North American primetime.
Why Not Make It a Night Game in Italy?
Here’s where Olympic logistics take over.
The men’s hockey gold medal game is traditionally played on the final day of the Winter Olympics — the same day as the Closing Ceremony.
At the 2026 Games:
- Closing Ceremony start: 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET)
If the hockey final were played at night in Italy to satisfy North American primetime, it would directly conflict with the Closing Ceremony — a marquee Olympic event broadcast globally.
There simply isn’t enough time in the schedule to accommodate both as prime-time spectacles.
This Is Standard Olympic Scheduling
While the early North American start feels unusual, history shows it’s actually common.
Men’s Olympic hockey gold medal games are typically played in the early afternoon local time on the final day. The exact North American viewing time depends entirely on the host country’s time zone.
When the Olympics are in Europe or Asia, U.S. and Canadian fans almost always wake up early for medal events.
This isn’t new — it’s Olympic tradition.
Why Organizers Can’t “Plan Around” USA vs. Canada
Another key point: Olympic organizers cannot assume which teams will reach the gold medal game.
Schedules are set years in advance. Start times are not adjusted based on semifinal outcomes. The matchup could have been any two nations — not necessarily the North American rivalry fans anticipated.
The fact that it’s USA vs. Canada makes the early start more noticeable, but the scheduling framework would be identical regardless of participants.
Why the Early Start Might Actually Boost Viewership
Ironically, the 8 a.m. ET start could help:
- Families can watch together before weekend activities
- Bars and restaurants can host special breakfast viewing events
- The early time creates urgency and social media buzz
Few things generate more hype than a once-every-four-years Olympic final between hockey’s two biggest rivals.
The Bottom Line
The early puck drop isn’t a broadcasting mistake or oversight.
It’s a product of:
- Italy’s time zone
- Final-day Olympic tradition
- Closing Ceremony scheduling
- Pre-set tournament logistics
In Milan, the game begins at a perfectly normal 2 p.m.
In North America?
Set the alarm. Brew the coffee. Wear the jersey.
Because when the United States and Canada meet for Olympic gold, it’s worth waking up for.
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