The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially the XXV Olympic Winter Games and commonly referred to as Milano Cortina 2026, will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026 in northern Italy, with competitions hosted across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and nearby Alpine venues.
For the first time, the Games are co-hosted by two cities — Milan primarily handling ice sports and Cortina anchoring alpine events — bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from around the world competing in 16 sports and 116 medal events.
Winter Olympics 2026 Full Schedule Snapshot
Key Dates
- February 4, 2026 – Early competitions begin (e.g., curling mixed doubles preliminary rounds)
- February 6, 2026 – Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium, Milan
- February 6–22, 2026 – Main Olympic events throughout Italy
- February 22, 2026 – Closing Ceremony concludes the Games
Major Sport Timelines (Sample)
- Alpine Skiing: Feb 7–18 — classic downhill, slalom, and combined events
- Speed Skating: Feb 7–21 — long track races at Milano Speed Skating Stadium
- Ski Jumping: Feb 7–16 — Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium hosts individual and team competitions
- Mixed Doubles Curling: Feb 4–10 — early medal opportunities before the opening ceremony
For the complete day-by-day schedule — including ice hockey, figure skating, bobsleigh, biathlon, snowboarding, and more — visit the official Olympics schedule page.
Medal Favorites & Countries to Watch
🇳🇴 Norway — Traditional Powerhouse
Norway has dominated the Winter Games historically and is expected to challenge for the most medals overall, especially in cross-country skiing and biathlon.
🇺🇸 United States — Star Athletes & Big Medal Hopes
Team USA boasts elite competitors across multiple disciplines:
- Mikaela Shiffrin & Lindsey Vonn — alpine skiing legends with high expectations.
- Snowboarding & Freestyle — strong contenders in halfpipe & big air.
- Figure skating and hockey — perennial medal threats.
🇬🇧 Team GB — Aiming for Best-Ever Winter Medal Count
Great Britain is targeting a record haul with medal chances in skeleton, curling, and figure skating.
Other nations — including Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan — also figure prominently across many sports, making the medal race highly competitive.
How to Watch Live — TV & Streaming
United States
- NBC — primary broadcaster with daily live coverage and primetime shows.
- Peacock (Premium / Premium Plus) — streams every event live, including highlights and replay options on phones, tablets, and connected TVs.
- Additional NBCUniversal networks (USA Network, CNBC, etc.) also carry event coverage.
International Options
- In the UK, select coverage may air on BBC iPlayer and additional streams via Discovery Plus.
- Australian viewers can stream events on services like 9Now or sport-specific platforms.
- Many countries have their own Olympic broadcasters — check local listings or the official Olympics watch page for details.
💡 Tip: Some platforms allow VPN access to reach region-restricted content — but always check local regulations and service terms before use.
Extra Fun Facts & Olympic Buzz
The torch relay for the 2026 Games began in November 2025 in Olympia, Greece, and will conclude in Milan on the day of the Opening Ceremony — a journey spanning over 12,000 km with thousands of torchbearers.
The Games will feature around 116 medal events across winter sports — from skiing and skating to bobsleigh and hockey.
Italy’s comprehensive security plan ensures safety across venues and cities hosting the Games.
Quick FAQ — Winter Olympics 2026
When do the Milan Cortina Games start?
February 6, 2026 (with some events as early as Feb 4).
How many sports are included?
16 winter sports featuring 116 medal events.
Where can I stream the events live?
Peacock (U.S.), NBC platforms, and official Olympic broadcasters worldwide.