The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano-Cortina 2026, is one of the most anticipated global sporting events of the year. Held across Northern Italy, this edition blends world-class athletic competition with Italy’s iconic culture and scenic landscapes. From February 6–22, 2026, millions of winter sports fans will tune in to watch elite athletes chase gold in a historic 25th edition of the Winter Games.

Host Cities & Venues

Milano-Cortina 2026 is co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking a unique Olympic model that spans both vibrant urban centers and alpine terrains.

‌Milan: Ice sports such as figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, and short track will be played in modern arenas.

‌Cortina d’Ampezzo: Alpine skiing, biathlon, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge take place amid the stunning Dolomites.

‌Additional clusters: Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and other mountain towns host varied snow sports.

When Does It Start?

‌Official Dates: February 6–22, 2026.

‌Pre-Games Competition: Some events like curling and snowboarding qualifiers begin Feb. 4 before the official Opening Ceremony.

‌Closing Ceremony: Verona’s historic Arena will host the grand finale on Feb. 22, 2026.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

The Opening Ceremony kicks off the Games on Feb. 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium in Milan, famous as the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Organizers describe the theme as “Harmony” (Armonia), highlighting unity between urban and mountain cultures. The event will feature:

• ‌A spectacular Parade of Nations
• ‌Performances by global artists
• ‌Dual celebrations across Milan and Cortina for the first time in Olympics history

Broadcast & Streaming:

‌USA: NBC and Peacock coverage, including live and on-demand event access.

‌UK/Europe: Free and subscription streaming options on BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports, Discovery+ and more.

Sports & Athletes to Watch

Milano-Cortina 2026 features 16 sports across 116 medal events. 

Some key competitions include:

• ‌Alpine Skiing in Cortina and Bormio at renowned venues like Tofane Alpine Ski Centre and Stelvio Ski Centre.
• ‌Curling, running from Feb. 4–22 with men’s, women’s, and mixed competitions.
• ‌Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, Biathlon, and more across multiple arenas.
• Athletes worldwide — from seasoned Olympians to rising stars — are set to shine on the snow and ice.

How to Watch (Global Coverage)

Fans around the world can tune in using broadcast and streaming platforms:

United States

• ‌NBC Broadcast
• ‌Peacock Streaming
• ‌NBCOlympics.com and partner apps offer replay and highlights.

United Kingdom

• ‌TNT Sports and Discovery+
• ‌Extensive BBC coverage on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

International Options

‌BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), RTÉ Player (Ireland), 9Now (Australia) — many offer free live streams in their regions.

What Makes 2026 Historic?

‌The largest Winter Games layout with events spread across urban and mountain environments.

‌A first-of-its-kind dual-location Opening Ceremony with performances and cultural celebrations in Milan and Cortina.

‌Record broadcast innovation with advanced streaming technology bringing the Games live across multiple platforms.