Winter Olympics 2026: How to Watch, Who Is Competing, and Everything You Need to Know

We are heading into an even-numbered year, and that means the Olympics are on the way. The new year will bring us the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, which will allow us all to descend into a nationalistic sports black hole for over two and a half weeks. It is going to be glorious. 

This year's games already boast the most geographically disparate Olympic Games in history, spread across Italy between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. There are also more female athletes competing in these games than ever before, thanks to more mixed-gender events being added to the roster. Decorated alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is still hoping to add her name to that list after winning a World Championship earlier in December at the age of 41. And she is by far not the only athlete trying to make history at these already groundbreaking games. 

Along with the glory and excitement of sports, there is also controversy. All eyes are currently on the hockey competitions as their facilities are still under construction, while the Olympic torch is already making its way through Italy. There's still a question of whether Russian athletes will be able to compete independently of their expelled country. Who is going to defy the odds and claim some historic medal for their home countries? 

There are still some qualifying events left so Olympic teams are not completely set yet. However, there's still a lot we already know about the Milan-Cortina games. Here's when to watch, how to watch, who to watch, and everything else you could want to know about the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games. 

When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start? 

Olympic events begin on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, with Downhill Alpine Skiing and Curling competitions. The opening ceremony will take place on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. local time, which is 2 p.m. ET and 11 a.m. PT. It will air on NBC and Peacock.

How long do the games last?

The last day of the games and closing ceremony is Feb. 22. That means there is over two and a half weeks of Olympics content to enjoy. 

What are the key dates during the games?

Feb. 4: Competitions begin
Feb. 6: Opening ceremony
Feb. 7: First gold medal events occur
Feb. 22:  Closing ceremony

What country is hosting the Winter Olympics in 2026?

Italy is hosting the winter games, with Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo splitting host city duties. Athletes will compete on three other mountain ranges outside of Cortina and the opening ceremony will take place in Verona. It's a real tour of Italy for these games. 

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics?

NBC is once again the United States broadcaster of the Olympic Games. Major event coverage and nightly recaps will occur on the network and across NBC Universal, including NBC Sports. For complete access to the games, you'll want a Peacock subscription so that you can watch games live and on demand, along with replays and analysis. 

What is the schedule for the Olympic Winter Games?

There are over 116 medals waiting to be handed out for the Olympic Games across 16 different sports. You can find the complete schedule, organized by day or by sport at NBC.com.

Who are the athletes to watch in these Olympic Games?

There are a lot of incredible athletes heading to Italy for these games, but here are a few we recommend checking out when you're trying to make your Olympic watching schedule. 

Eileen Gu (Freestyle Skiing)

Eileen Gu (also known by her Chinese name Gu Ailing) is a freestyle skier who has made many headlines for her massive air. She became the youngest person to win a freestyle skiing medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she picked up two gold medals and a silver. She became the second woman to ever land a double cork 1620 in competition and is looking to add more history-defining accolades to her resume at this year's games. 

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (Team Figure Skating)

The dominant couple in ice dance is hoping to win Team USA another gold in the Team Figure Skating competition after winning their third Grand Prix final in a row earlier in December. They go into the Milan-Cortina games as the ones to beat on the ice and will want a gold medal to cap off what many suspect could be their final competition season. 

Jessie Diggins (Cross-Country Skiing)

Diggins is joining Team USA for her fourth straight Olympics. She's already been on every step of the Olympic podium, but she is looking to add another gold to her collection in the 10km freestyle race and is also a favorite for the podium in the Skiathlon event. 

Chloe Kim (Halfpipe Snowboarding)

Kim is also looking to add her name to the history books by becoming the first snowboarder to three-peat as Olympic champion. She's the first woman ever to land a 1260 in a halfpipe run, which makes her a big favorite for another gold medal.