NHL 4 Nations Face-Off 2025/26

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off is a senior men's ice hockey tournament organized by the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). The event serves as a "best-on-best" international competition situated between Olympic cycles and the World Cup of Hockey, functioning as a temporary replacement for the NHL All-Star Game. The tournament's structure is distinct from traditional international competitions as it operates outside the governance of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The competition features four national teams: Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. Participation is determined by invitation and agreement between the governing bodies and respective national associations, meaning there is no promotion, relegation, or qualification process involved. The format begins with a round-robin group stage where each team plays three games. Points are awarded according to a specific system: three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime or shootout win, one for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero for a regulation loss.

The top two teams from the group stage advance to a single-game championship. The final match utilizes NHL playoff rules, including 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods, which differs from the standard round-robin gameplay. The inaugural edition took place in February 2025, hosted across Montreal and Boston. Canada secured the title in that first instance, defeating the United States 3–2 in overtime. Connor McDavid scored the decisive goal for the winners, while his teammate Nathan MacKinnon received the MVP honour after leading the tournament in scoring with four goals.

The NHL has announced plans to return the World Cup of Hockey in 2028. However, the future frequency of the 4 Nations Face-Off remains unconfirmed beyond its status as an inaugural event. The tournament stands apart from the IIHF World Championship, which involves more nations and non-NHL players, and from the Olympic Games, which are governed by the IOC.