The Winter Olympics have officially arrived, ushering in that familiar four-year stretch when living rooms turn into arenas for curling debates, luge hot takes, and passionate medal predictions. The 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics promise to be unlike any before them, not just for the competition, but for their unprecedented scale and setting across northern Italy.
This year’s Games are the most geographically spread out in Olympic history, with events taking place across more than two dozen venues. Hundreds of athletes from around the globe — including 232 competitors from the United States — will compete in 16 winter sports over the course of about two and a half weeks. A total of 116 medal events are up for grabs, and for the first time since the pandemic-era Beijing Games in 2022, fans are once again allowed to attend in person.
A Historic Opening Ceremony
The official start of the Olympics comes with the opening ceremony on February 6, even though some sports like curling and ice hockey begin competition earlier. The main celebration will be held at San Siro Stadium in Milan, one of Italy’s most iconic venues.
The ceremony will blend tradition and spectacle, featuring the Parade of Nations, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, and musical performances by internationally known artists such as Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. In a first for the Winter Games, there will also be simultaneous ceremonies at multiple venues, including a second Olympic cauldron lighting in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the co-host city.
NBC’s live coverage of the opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET, with a primetime rebroadcast scheduled for 8 p.m. ET the same day. The ceremony will also stream on Peacock.
How to Watch the Games From Home
Once competition is underway, fans can expect 16 full days of events, with medals awarded daily across various sports. NBC plans to air live competitions throughout the day, followed by a primetime highlights show at 8 p.m. ET, and a late-night recap for night owls.
U.S. viewers can follow the Games across NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports, and their associated apps and websites. Familiar Olympic viewing features return, including Peacock’s “Gold Zone,” which jumps between the most important live moments, and “Multiview,” allowing fans to track multiple events at once, now available on mobile devices as well.
The closing ceremony will take place on February 22 at a historic amphitheater in Verona, airing live at 2:30 p.m. ET with a primetime broadcast later that evening.
Paralympics to Follow
The Olympic spotlight will then shift to the Paralympic Winter Games, opening on March 6 in Verona. Around 600 Para athletes will compete in 79 medal events across six sports, including Para Alpine skiing, sled hockey, and wheelchair curling. The Paralympics will conclude with a closing ceremony in Cortina on March 15.
Staying Informed Beyond the Broadcast
Beyond television coverage, fans looking for deeper context can turn to NPR’s Winter Olympics reporting, which includes on-the-ground updates from journalists in Italy, as well as analysis from correspondents around the world. NPR’s coverage spans digital stories, radio broadcasts, newsletters, and podcasts, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the athletes, moments, and stories shaping the Games.
Whether you’re tuning in for the marquee events or discovering a new favorite winter sport, the 2026 Winter Olympics offer more ways than ever to watch, follow, and experience the magic — all without leaving home.
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