The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially arrived. After years of anticipation and a chaotic buildup that had many wondering if the venues would even be ready, Milano Cortina 2026 is here, and it promises to be one of the most visually spectacular Games in history.
Northern Italy’s stunning Alpine backdrop will host approximately 2,900 athletes from 93 countries competing across 116 events, and you can watch it all unfold live from your couch, phone, or wherever you happen to be.
The Opening Ceremony takes place Friday, February 6 at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, starting at 8pm local time (2pm ET). Expect a star-studded affair featuring performances from Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Italian pop star Laura Pausini. The White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore and Italian rapper Ghali will also make appearances in what organizers are calling “a celebration of Italian uniqueness and Made in Italy.”
For the first time in Olympic history, two Olympic cauldrons will be lit simultaneously, one at Milan’s Arco della Pace and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Piazza Dibona, symbolizing the unprecedented dual-city format of these Games.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Live Stream in the US
NBC holds exclusive broadcasting rights in the United States, which means Peacock is your streaming headquarters for Milano Cortina 2026. Every single event will stream live and on-demand on Peacock, from the Opening Ceremony through the final medal being awarded on February 22.
A Peacock Premium subscription runs $10.99 per month or $109.99 annually. The platform offers some genuinely useful features this time around, including Multiview (watch up to four events simultaneously) and Rinkside Live for immersive figure skating and hockey coverage with multiple camera angles.
Television coverage will air across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC, with NBC hosting primetime coverage each evening at 8pm ET featuring enhanced highlights and analysis.
Free Trial Options for US Viewers
Peacock doesn’t offer a direct free trial, but there are several workarounds worth knowing about. Walmart+ includes Peacock Premium as a membership perk and offers a 30-day free trial, enough to cover the entire Games. Instacart+ similarly bundles Peacock with a 14-day trial.
For live TV streaming, DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial with access to NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. Hulu + Live TV provides a 3-day trial with over 95 channels including all Olympic networks, and YouTube TV offers a 21-day trial for new subscribers, the most generous option available.
International Live Streaming Options
Viewers outside the United States have plenty of options, many of them completely free.
United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer will stream major events free of charge, though coverage won’t be as comprehensive as past Olympics. For complete coverage of all 850+ hours of action, you’ll need Discovery+ or TNT Sports. BBC coverage runs from 9am to 10pm daily on BBC One and BBC Two.
Canada: CBC Gem offers more than 2,000 hours of Olympic coverage completely free. Simply register for a free account and you’re set. Select events also air on CBC Sports television.
Australia: 9Now provides free streaming of select events. For comprehensive coverage, Stan Sport ($20/month plus base subscription) is the go-to option.
Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery holds pan-European rights, broadcasting through Eurosport and Discovery+ across 49 territories. However, many countries also have free-to-air coverage through EBU member broadcasters: France TV in France, ARD and ZDF in Germany, RAI in Italy, NRK in Norway, and many others.
The official Olympics YouTube channel will also livestream events in countries without dedicated broadcast rights holders.
What to Watch at Milano Cortina 2026
These Games mark several significant firsts. Ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut, the first new winter sport added since 1998. NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since Sochi 2014, meaning hockey fans will finally see the best players in the world wearing their national colors again. PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) players are also participating for the first time.
New events include Women’s Doubles in luge, Women’s Large Hill in ski jumping, Mixed Team skeleton, Dual Moguls in freestyle skiing, and Team Combined in alpine skiing.
The athlete to watch is American figure skater Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God” who arrives as the overwhelming favorite in men’s singles. The 20-year-old has landed the only quadruple Axel in competition history and remains unbeaten since late 2023. Swiss alpine skier Marco Odermatt leads World Cup standings in three disciplines and is the heavy favorite for downhill gold. And 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn is attempting a remarkable comeback to Olympic skiing, though a recent crash has raised concerns about her participation.
Schedule and Time Zone Considerations
Milano Cortina operates on Central European Time (CET), which is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. That means many events will air live in the early morning hours for American viewers.
Competition actually began February 4 with curling and hockey preliminary rounds. The Opening Ceremony on February 6 kicks off the main program, running through the Closing Ceremony on February 22 at Verona’s historic Arena. NBC will air primetime coverage each evening featuring the day’s highlights and top moments for viewers who can’t catch events live.
Key events to circle include figure skating (February 6-19), Alpine skiing throughout the Games, and the men’s hockey gold medal game on February 22. Full replays will be available on Peacock and NBC Olympic platforms shortly after events conclude.
The Venues
Events spread across multiple venues in Northern Italy. Milan hosts ice events at the new Santa Giulia arena and the Opening Ceremony at San Siro. Cortina d’Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Games, handles sliding sports and Alpine skiing. Livigno hosts freestyle skiing and snowboarding, while Bormio features downhill and super-G events on the legendary Stelvio course. The Closing Ceremony will take place at the ancient Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater dating back to 30 AD.
After years of construction delays and budget controversies that plagued the buildup to these Games, the venues are ready, the athletes are primed, and two weeks of elite winter sports competition await. Whether you’re waking up early for live action or catching primetime recaps, Milano Cortina 2026 promises memorable moments from start to finish.