Tate McRae and Jack Hughes: Everything We Know About the Rumored Relationship
The moment Jack Hughes scored the overtime golden goal to hand Team USA its first men's Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980, two things happened simultaneously — he became an American sports hero, and the entire internet started asking one question: is Jack Hughes dating Tate McRae?
Who Is Jack Hughes?
Jack Hughes, 24, scored 1 minute and 41 seconds into three-on-three overtime to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada in the gold medal final at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026. Hughes was the No. 1 overall NHL draft pick in 2019 by the New Jersey Devils. His older brothers, Quinn and Luke Hughes, are also NHL stars, making the Hughes family the most celebrated hockey dynasty in the sport right now.
Who Is Tate McRae?
McRae, 22, earned her first Grammy nomination for "Just Keep Watching" in the Best Dance Pop Recording category, and her 2025 album "So Close to What" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Born on July 1, 2003, in Calgary, Canada, McRae signed with RCA Records at just 16 after her YouTube channel and independent music releases caught the label's attention. She is one of the fastest-rising pop stars in the world, with nearly 10 million Instagram followers.
Are Tate McRae and Jack Hughes Dating? The Evidence
Neither Tate McRae nor Jack Hughes has publicly confirmed or denied their relationship — but the circumstantial evidence has been building for months.
| Date | Sighting / Clue |
|---|---|
| November 21, 2025 | Spotted having dinner together at Anton's in NYC's West Village |
| December 2025 | McRae attended a Hughes New Jersey Devils game after his thumb injury return |
| December 2025 | Pair photographed walking together in New York City the following day |
| February 3, 2026 | McRae posted an NBC Olympics promo video, fueling speculation she'd attend the Games |
| February 15, 2026 | McRae posted a photo from Paris, France — neighboring Italy where the Olympics were held |
| February 22, 2026 | Hughes scores gold medal goal; internet links the two instantly |
Hughes' elder brother Quinn Hughes liked an Instagram post suggesting Jack and McRae could be a couple — the closest thing to a family confirmation the internet has received.
The NBC Olympics Controversy
McRae sparked controversy prior to the 2026 Winter Olympics when she filmed a promotion for NBC and Team USA, saying "I'm trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA." Since McRae is Canadian, some took issue with it — though she made it clear she was still supporting Canada in the Games.
The irony, of course, is that Jack Hughes' game-winning goal eliminated Canada in the gold medal match — setting off a wave of Canadian fan fury directed partly at McRae. After Team USA beat Canada for the gold medal on February 22, 2026, Tate McRae found herself at the unexpected center of a national backlash, with some Canadian fans calling for a boycott of the singer.
Tate McRae's Previous NHL Relationships
This is not McRae's first rodeo with an NHL player. She dated Cole Sillinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2021 to early 2023, and she also dated musician The Kid LAROI for over a year before splitting in July 2025. Fans have long pointed to the hockey imagery in her music videos as a nod to her NHL connections.
What We Know Right Now
The bottom line on Tate McRae and Jack Hughes: after being spotted out together having a cozy dinner in New York City in November 2025, both Jack Hughes and Tate McRae have remained completely mum on whether or not they're in a relationship. Neither has confirmed it. Neither has denied it. With Hughes now an Olympic gold medalist and McRae one of pop music's biggest stars, the public curiosity around whether Tate McRae and Jack Hughes are officially together is only going to intensify in the days ahead.
