2026 Winter Olympics Schedule and Results: Full Timetable
Maybe you’ve already started daydreaming about a February trip to Italy — the Alps, the food, the buzz — but what really draws the world that month is the return of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. With a packed calendar across eight sports and questions still swirling about which countries will actually show up, a verified guide to the schedule, how to watch, and what’s still up in the air helps.
Host cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy ·
Opening ceremony: February 6, 2026 ·
Closing ceremony: February 22, 2026 ·
Number of sports: 8 (15 disciplines) ·
Official broadcaster (US): NBC and Peacock
Quick snapshot
- Games run 6–22 February 2026 (IOC Olympics.com)
- Hosted in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and associated venues (The Athletic)
- US broadcast rights held by NBC and Peacock (NBC Olympics)
- Whether Russia and Belarus will be officially banned or allowed as neutrals (IOC statement)
- Exact daily schedule times for all events, subject to change (NBC Sports)
- Final number of participating countries (Olympics.com official hub)
- 24 June 2019: Milan-Cortina awarded the Games (IOC Olympics.com)
- 6 February 2026: Opening ceremony at San Siro (NBC Sports)
- 22 February 2026: Closing ceremony (IOC Olympics.com)
- Official medal standings updated live on Olympics.com and ESPN Olympics
- Country participation decisions expected from IOC in late 2025 (IOC statement)
- Venue-specific schedule details will be confirmed closer to games (The Athletic)
The essentials at a glance: the confirmed host cities, ceremony dates, and broadcast rights for the Milano Cortina Games, as published by the IOC and official broadcasters.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Host cities | Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy |
| Opening ceremony | February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM CET |
| Closing ceremony | February 22, 2026 |
| Number of events | 8 sports (15 disciplines) |
| US broadcaster | NBC and Peacock |
| Official website | olympics.com/en/olympic-games/milano-cortina-2026 |
What is the complete schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are officially scheduled for 6–22 February 2026, with competitions beginning on 4 February and the Opening Ceremony on 6 February, according to the International Olympic Committee. The Games feature 8 sports encompassing 15 disciplines, and the full daily timetable is published on Olympics.com official hub.
Daily event schedule
The official daily schedule provides a complete timetable of events across the Games period. While specific start times for each session are still being finalised as of early 2025, the skeleton of the competition calendar is already public. Competition begins on 4 February with preliminary rounds in curling and ice hockey, two days before the opening ceremony.
Key dates and times
- 4 February 2026: Early competition starts (curling, ice hockey).
- 6 February 2026: Opening ceremony at San Siro stadium, 8:00 PM CET (live in US at 2:00 PM ET per NBC Olympics).
- 22 February 2026: Closing ceremony.
Venue details
Events are staged across multiple venues in Milan (San Siro, Mediolanum Forum, PalaItalia), Cortina d’Ampezzo (Olympic Ice Stadium, ski slopes), and other mountain sites such as Val di Fiemme for cross‑country and ski jumping. The Athletic’s coverage of Milan 2026 describes the spread as “principally across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and associated venues.”
For spectators and broadcasters alike, the biggest challenge is the geographic spread — up to three hours of travel between some venues. Plan your itinerary around the daily schedule once official timings are locked in, likely by autumn 2025.
The pattern: until the IOC publishes final session times, the daily skeleton remains the only reliable planning tool for travel and viewing.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, 6 February 2026 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. It will start at 8:00 PM Central European Time (CET). In the United States, NBC Olympics confirms a broadcast live at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on the same day.
Opening ceremony details
San Siro, best known as the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan, will be transformed into an Olympic stage. The show is expected to last approximately three hours and will feature the parade of nations, the lighting of the cauldron, and artistic segments celebrating Italian culture and winter sport.
How to watch the opening ceremony
- US: NBC, Peacock (live at 2 p.m. ET, encore in prime time).
- UK: BBC One, BBC iPlayer (live from 7 p.m. GMT – subject to confirmation).
- Canada: CBC, CBC Sports digital (official Canadian rights holder).
If you’re on the West Coast of the US, subtract 9 hours from CET for an 11 a.m. PT start. Australian viewers (AEST) add 9 hours, meaning the ceremony airs around 5 a.m. on 7 February — a late (or early) watch.
What this means: the ceremony is a morning event for American West Coast viewers, but an overnight commitment for Australian fans.
How can I watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on TV?
Coverage varies by region. Below are the confirmed broadcasters for major markets, sourced from official Olympic partners.
US broadcasting rights (NBC/Peacock)
NBC Olympics describes itself as the U.S. home of the Games, with NBC, USA Network, and CNBC carrying television coverage. Peacock streams every sport, competition session, and medal ceremony live.
International broadcasters
- Canada: CBC, Bell Media, Rogers Media (official Canadian rights).
- UK: BBC Media Centre (more than 450 hours of live coverage on BBC One, BBC Two, iPlayer, and BBC Sport digital).
- Australia: Nine Network (official Australian rights holder).
- Brazil: TV Globo and CazéTV.
- France: Warner Bros. Discovery and France Télévisions.
- Germany: Warner Bros. Discovery, ARD, ZDF (German broadcast consortium).
- Pan‑Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max, Eurosport, and national EBU broadcasters.
Streaming options
In addition to Peacock (US), BBC iPlayer (UK), and CBC Gem (Canada), the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com will stream highlights and selected events free in some regions. For a printable PDF of the full schedule, check Olympics.com closer to the Games — the IOC typically releases one a few months before the opening.
- Choose your primary broadcast platform: NBC/Peacock in the US, BBC in the UK, or CBC in Canada.
- Save the official Olympics.com schedule page and convert the session times to your local time zone.
- Bookmark the live medal standings page so you can check results as each event finishes.
The takeaway: the widest live slate belongs to Peacock and BBC iPlayer, so international viewers should confirm which events their local rights-holder is carrying before the opening ceremony.
Which countries are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics?
As of early 2025, no official bans have been announced for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The status of Russia and Belarus remains the most prominent question.
Current list of banned nations
No nations are currently banned. However, Russia and Belarus remain under IOC sanctions stemming from the 2024 Summer Olympics, but an IOC spokesperson has said “No decision has been taken yet for Milano Cortina 2026.”
Reasons for bans
The sanctions against Russia and Belarus relate to the war in Ukraine. The IOC has not yet decided whether to extend the “neutral athlete” model – used in 2024 – to the Winter Games. Athletes from sanctioned countries may be allowed to compete as neutrals if they meet strict conditions, including no national symbols or anthems.
Impact on participation
A ban or restriction on Russia would significantly affect the medal count, as Russian athletes historically perform well in figure skating, cross‑country skiing, and biathlon. The final list of participating countries is expected to be announced by the IOC executive board in late 2025.
If you’re tracking a specific athlete from Russia or Belarus, wait for the official neutral‑athlete announcement. The IOC’s decision will reshape the field for at least half a dozen events.
The catch: a late IOC ruling on Russia and Belarus could force federations to reshuffle qualification spots weeks before the Games begin.
What are the 2026 Winter Olympics medal standings?
The official medal standings will be updated live on Olympics.com official hub and ESPN Olympics. Medal counts include gold, silver, and bronze for each event, with a standard table sorted by total golds.
How medal counts are updated
Results are posted in real time as each event finishes. Olympics.com and the IOC’s official data feed – also used by national broadcasters – provide the authoritative tally. Independent aggregators like ESPN and Wikipedia lag by a few minutes but are reliable for casual tracking.
Predictions and favorites
While no official predictions exist this far out, historical performance suggests Norway, Germany, and the United States will contend for the top of the table. Canada typically dominates curling and snowboarding, while Italy – as host – may see a boost in alpine skiing and cross‑country events.
Where to find official results
- Olympics.com (live scoring, athlete bios, event replay).
- NBC Sports / Peacock (US broadcast with integrated results).
- BBC Sport (UK, live text and medal table).
- Official Milano Cortina 2026 mobile app (expected to launch late 2025).
The implication: for a live medal table, Olympics.com and ESPN are the fastest public sources, while the official app will be the most portable option once it launches.
Timeline signal
- 24 June 2019: Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo awarded the 2026 Winter Olympics (IOC Olympics.com).
- 6 February 2026: Opening ceremony at San Siro stadium, Milan (NBC Sports).
- 6–22 February 2026: Competition days for all sports (IOC Olympics.com).
- 22 February 2026: Closing ceremony (IOC Olympics.com).
What this means: the two-week window is bookended by San Siro ceremonies, with curling and hockey already underway two days before the opening.
Clarity check: what’s clear and what isn’t
Confirmed facts
- Dates: February 6–22, 2026 (IOC Olympics.com).
- Host cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (The Athletic).
- US broadcasting rights held by NBC/Peacock (NBC Olympics).
- BBC to broadcast over 450 hours live in the UK (BBC Media Centre).
- Official schedule published on Olympics.com (Olympics.com official hub).
What’s unclear
- Whether Russia and Belarus will be officially banned or allowed as neutrals (IOC statement).
- Exact daily schedule times for all events, subject to change (NBC Sports).
- Final number of participating countries (Olympics.com official hub).
The bottom line: the dates and broadcast rights are fixed; the participation map and final session times are the two variables that can still move.
“No decision has been taken yet for Milano Cortina 2026.”
IOC spokesperson, on the status of Russian participation
“We will provide extensive live coverage across NBC and Peacock.”
NBC Sports executive, on coverage plans
The 2026 Winter Olympics promise a thrilling two weeks of sport, but much of the drama will unfold off the ice and slopes as well — especially around who gets to compete. For American viewers, the combination of NBC and Peacock offers the most complete coverage; for those in the UK, BBC’s 450‑hour commitment is unmatched. The biggest unknown remains the IOC’s decision on Russia and Belarus, which could reshape entire events. For the athlete hoping to peak in 2026, the choice is clear: focus on what you can control, because the political stage may shift the field right until the opening ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
How many athletes are expected to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The IOC has not yet published a target, but based on previous Winter Games, around 2,900 athletes from roughly 90 nations are likely.
How can I buy tickets for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Tickets go on sale through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website. A registration phase typically opens 12–18 months before the Games. Expect ballot systems for popular events.
What new sports are being added for 2026?
No new sports were added for 2026; the programme matches Beijing 2022. Ski mountaineering was considered but not included.
Will spectators be allowed at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes. No restrictions have been announced. The IOC and Italian organisers expect full venues. COVID‑19 measures, if any, will depend on public health conditions closer to the date.
What is the weather like in Milan during February?
Milan’s February averages range from 1°C to 9°C (34–48°F). In the mountains around Cortina, expect snow and colder temperatures. Pack layers.
How do I get to the different venues?
High‑speed trains connect Milan and Cortina (about 3.5 hours). The organisers will run dedicated shuttle services between venues. The Milano Cortina 2026 app will include transport schedules.
Are there any travel restrictions for attending the Olympics?
Currently, Italy has no specific Olympic travel restrictions. EU citizens travel freely; others should check visa requirements via the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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