The 2026 Winter Olympics arrive in Italy this February, with competition split across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and four other mountain venues. It's the first Winter Games hosted in Italy since Torino 2006, and early indicators suggest record viewership — driven by breakout stars in alpine skiing, figure skating, and a newly expanded snowboard program.
Here's everything you need to know: schedule, events, where to watch free, and which American athletes to follow.
- Dates: February 6–22, 2026
- Location: Milan-Cortina, Italy (6 competition zones)
- Sports: 16 disciplines, 116 events
- Nations competing: 91 countries expected
- Opening Ceremony: February 6, 2026 — Piazza del Duomo, Milan
- Closing Ceremony: February 22, 2026 — Verona Arena
Where Is the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The Milan-Cortina Games are spread across six competition zones in northern Italy:
- Milan — Opening/closing ceremonies, ice hockey (men's), figure skating (some events)
- Cortina d'Ampezzo — Alpine skiing, sliding (bobsled, luge, skeleton), biathlon
- Livigno — Freestyle skiing, snowboarding
- Bormio — Alpine skiing (speed events), cross-country skiing, Nordic combined
- Anterselva/Antholz — Biathlon
- Tesero (Val di Fiemme) — Nordic combined, ski jumping, cross-country skiing
The geography creates a logistically complex but visually stunning backdrop — the Dolomites in the east, the Alps in the west.
Full 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule by Week
All 16 Sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has approved 16 sports for Milan-Cortina 2026:
Team USA: Athletes to Watch in 2026
The United States arrives in Italy with a deep team built around several returning medalists and a wave of talented newcomers.
Alpine Skiing Mikaela Shiffrin is the story of every Winter Games she enters. The most decorated alpine skier in World Cup history, Shiffrin holds the all-time record for World Cup wins (97 and counting). She'll contend for gold in slalom, giant slalom, and combined — and could walk away with 2 or 3 medals.
Figure Skating Illia Malinin became the first skater to land a quadruple Axel in competition and is widely projected as the favorite for men's gold. On the women's side, Isabeau Levito — the 2023 World silver medalist — is the top American hope.
Snowboarding Shaun White retired after Beijing, but American snowboarding remains elite. Red Gerard (slopestyle gold, Beijing) and Chloe Kim (halfpipe back-to-back champion) headline a loaded U.S. snowboard team.
Speed Skating Jordan Stolz turned 19 at the 2022 Games and already owned a World Championship title. By 2026, he'll be the global favorite in the 500m and 1000m — potentially the most decorated U.S. speed skater ever.
Bobsled/Skeleton Katie Uhlaender is a five-time World Championship medalist in skeleton hunting for her first Olympic medal. The U.S. bobsled program has rebuilt around Elana Meyers Taylor, who won silver in Beijing.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Free
Live coverage rights differ by country, but free options exist in most major markets.
For US viewers: NBC and its streaming platform Peacock hold the broadcast rights. Many events air on the free NBC channel; live streaming of all events requires Peacock Premium ($7.99/month). However, tape-delayed primetime coverage on NBC is free over the air.
For UK viewers: The BBC has full coverage — all events, all live, completely free on BBC iPlayer. No subscription, no cable required.
VPN option for expats: If you're outside your home country, a VPN set to your home nation unlocks your domestic free broadcast. BBC iPlayer, CBC, and RAI all verify geography but not identity.
Milan-Cortina 2026: Key Facts & Firsts
This isn't a by-the-numbers Winter Olympics:
- First Winter Games in Italy in 20 years — Torino hosted in 2006; Milan-Cortina brings the Games back to the country that arguably cares most about alpine skiing
- New ski jumping venue — The historic Trampolino Italia in Predazzo was rebuilt at a cost of €26 million for 2026
- Expanded snowboard program — 11 total snowboard events, up from 10 in Beijing
- Sustainable venue commitment — Several venues from the 1956 Cortina Games (the first ever televised Winter Olympics) were refurbished rather than replaced
- Record ticket demand — Italy's hosting role, combined with European proximity, has driven ticket demand above any previous Winter Games
Medal Predictions: Which Countries Will Top the Table?
Norway is the perennial Winter Olympics powerhouse — dominant in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping. Germany brings depth across speed skating, bobsled, and luge. The USA's medal total will hinge heavily on alpine skiing and snowboarding.
Italy, as the host nation, carries historic expectations. The Italians are particularly strong in alpine skiing (Dominik Paris in speed events) and skeleton.
Tickets and Travel to Milan-Cortina 2026
Tickets for the 2026 Winter Olympics are sold through the official Milan-Cortina 2026 website. Prices range from €25 for qualifying rounds to €450+ for figure skating finals and opening/closing ceremonies.
For travelers:
- Milan is a world-class city with excellent hotels at every price point
- Cortina d'Ampezzo is a luxury ski resort — accommodation books out months in advance and prices spike during Games weeks
- Livigno is a more affordable base for snowboard and freestyle skiing events
Train connections between Milan and the mountain venues are being upgraded specifically for the Games, with high-speed rail links cutting transit times significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start? The Opening Ceremony is February 6, 2026, in Piazza del Duomo, Milan. Competition begins February 7.
Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics? Milan-Cortina, Italy, split across six competition zones including Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livigno, Bormio, and Val di Fiemme.
How many sports are in the 2026 Winter Olympics? 16 sports, 116 events total.
Who is carrying the US flag at the Opening Ceremony? Team USA's flag bearers for Milan-Cortina 2026 will be announced closer to the Games. Check USOPC.org for the announcement.
Is the 2026 Winter Olympics on free TV? In the US, NBC airs prime-time coverage free over the air. Full live streaming requires Peacock. In the UK, BBC iPlayer carries all events free.
