The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off will take place from February 12–20, 2025, in Montreal at Bell Centre and in Boston at TD Garden. The tournament, hosted by the NHL, will replace the annual All-Star Game. Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to a final game.
The tournament was announced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in February 2024. Bettman also confirmed that NHL players would participate in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics. The participating teams are ranked among the top six in the world by the IIHF. However, Russia and Czechia were excluded from the event due to the IIHF ban on Russia and a limited tournament schedule.
Which teams participate in the NHL 4 Nations face-off?
According to the Olympics, the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off features teams from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. These nations were selected as they are considered hockey powerhouses and ranked among the IIHF's top nations. Russia and Czechia were excluded, with Russia banned by the IIHF and Czechia not included despite having enough NHL players. The tournament showcases NHL players under contract for the 2024-25 season, offering a preview of potential rosters for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Read More: 4 Nations Face-Off Format
How many countries are in the NHL 4 Nations face-off?
According to the Olympics, the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off includes four countries: Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. These teams were chosen for their strong standings in international hockey, with Canada ranked first, Finland second, the USA fourth, and Sweden sixth. The tournament is designed to bring together these top hockey nations in preparation for future international competitions like the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What is the format of the 4 Nations face-off?
According to Hockey Canada, the 4 Nations Face-Off follows a round-robin format, where each team plays three games. After the round-robin, the top two teams advance to a one-game final. If a game is tied after regulation, the round-robin games will go to 3-on-3 sudden death for 10 minutes, followed by a shootout if needed. In the final, If the game is tied after regulation, 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime will be played in 20-minute periods until a goal is scored.
FAQs Which teams participate in the NHL 4 Nations face-off?
A. The tournament will be hosted by Canada and the United States from February 12 to February 20, 2025.
A. The tournament will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
A. The tournament will take place from February 12 to February 20, 2025.
A. Four teams will participate: Canada, United States, Sweden, and Finland.
A. The Four Nations tournament follows a round-robin format where each team competes against the others.
