Alex Ovechkin is keeping up with his game-day diet, even in the offseason.
While back in the United States for Fanatics Fest and the 2026 World Cup Final, Ovechkin ordered his go-to Subway meal for Andrey Arshavin, a former Russian soccer player), and Nikita Filatov, a former NHL and KHL player, in FONBET’s “FONtour 2026 World Cup” video.
Before they headed inside a 24-hour Subway to discuss his iconic order, the trio met on the streets of New York City, where Ovechkin explained how his favorite Subway-sandwich-and-Flamin’-Hot-Cheetos combination became a pre-game delicacy.
“It all started, probably 10 years ago, when we were heading off on a trip, and there was a Subway at the gas station. All the guys would go in and order Subway. That’s how it all got started,” Ovechkin said in the video, as translated by Google Translate.
Once they were inside and about to order at the counter, they asked whether he still brings the same renowned meal on trips. Ovechkin assured them that it was still a staple. “Always the same — Spicy Italian. And I add toppings, salads,” he said.
“Of course, it’s tradition,” Ovechkin later continued. “Several times I didn’t bring it with me, and everyone was upset.”
The Capitals captain also disputed rumors that he has a special Subway delivery person bringing him his sandwiches, insisting that he always goes and gets them himself.
Former Capitals teammate Nicolas Aube-Kubel said in a podcast interview last October that Ovechkin “has the phone number of the guy who works at Subway. When he leaves the arena, he texts him. He passes by, he doesn’t get out of the car. The guy comes to the car, he comes to give (him the sandwich). I’m not even kidding. It’s crazy, because he doesn’t want to go back to Subway and be recognized by everyone.”
Over the years, Ovechkin’s meal has become an integral part of the Capitals’ traveling routine, providing entertainment for his teammates who have made a game of guessing which toppings Ovechkin chose that day. “I take it with me, I put it [down], all the guys sit and guess my ingredients. Sometimes I add something new,” he explained.
“Every time a new player comes to the team, he has to guess.”
Ovechkin also rated his top three fast food places (kind of). He put McDonald’s — where he once ordered a massive haul comprised of five double cheeseburgers, a Caesar salad, a Royale cheeseburger, a Big Mac with country-style fries, eight drinks, and five cheese sauces in a documentary special early in his career — at number one. Subway came in second, and he listed hot dogs third.
The Great 8 has done quite a lot of food and drink rankings in the past week, also listing his top five beers during a live Q&A promotion for this month’s Match of the Year charity game.
