Russia Defeats U.S. in Moscow Ice Hockey Match Aimed at Normalizing Ties

July 3, 2026 AmCham Russia President Robert Agee (center-left) poses for a photo with players at the U.S.-Russia hockey match on July 1, 2026. championat.ru Russia defeated the United States 10-6 in an inaugural ice hockey match that organizers hoped would help thaw bilateral relations frozen since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian media reported. The match took place on Wednesday at the Kristall ice palace within Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex. Organized by the chambers of commerce of both countries, the invite-only event was held at a small venue capped at 500 spectators, according to Sports.ru. “This game will become part of a wider business dialogue,” Russian presidential aide Anton Kobyakov said ahead of the puck drop. President Vladimir Putin first proposed holding hockey matches between Russian and American players during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump in March 2025. The Kremlin said at the time that Trump had “expressed support” for the idea, though the White House never confirmed that. AmCham Russia President Robert Agee said the match was made possible after he learned that some U.S. hockey players were planning to visit Moscow for a “personal event,” according to the Financial Times. However, the U.S. roster remained mostly anonymous, with the sole exception of captain Scott MacPherson, the former general manager of a Beijing-based team in the Russia-dominated Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). According to FT and Agee, the rest of the roster was filled by retired players and executives from the Moscow offices of U.S. corporations. Russia’s team featured seven active NHL and KHL stars, Hall of Famers, as well as amateurs that included government officials and musicians. Roman Rotenberg, the son of billionaire and Putin friend Boris Rotenberg, was also on the roster. Soviet hockey legend and current State Duma lawmaker Vyacheslav Fetisov, who suited up for the Russian team, said ahead of the game that Putin’s original vision for professional matches between Russia and the U.S. would still need “two to three years” to materialize. He claimed a second match will “likely” take place in the United States. Read more about: Hockey , United States , Sports Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Moscow to Host U.S.-Russia Hockey Match Next Month The president of AmCham Russia said the inaugural match will take place at the Kristall ice palace within Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex on July 1... 1 Min read Officials Discussing U.S.-Russia Hockey Matches in St. Petersburg and Washington D.C., Sports Minister Says “The matches are indeed possible. Private negotiations are underway,” Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said. 2 Min read Putin Congratulates Ovechkin on NHL Goals Record The Kremlin leader said Alex Ovechkin’s record was not only a personal success but “a true celebration for fans in Russia and abroad.” 2 Min read Putin Grants U.S. Hockey Player Russian Citizenship Dynamo Moscow’s athletic director said the move “will be good PR for Russian sports." 1 Min read