With the commencement of the new year, fans from all around the world are buzzing about the highly anticipated 2026 Winter Olympics! The last time the world experienced the excitement of these games was the 2024 Summer Olympics which was held in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11, 2024, featuring 32 different sports ranging from aquatic, combat, and team sports.
It is safe to say that expectations are high for the 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, but what exactly is in store this year? Here is everything you need to know:
When will the games begin?
The competitions began on February 6th and run till February 22nd, 2026. Here is a rundown of important dates and gold medal events for the various winter sports included in the Winter Olympics:
Feb. 6: Opening ceremony (in San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy)
Feb. 7: First gold medal events.
Feb. 8: Gold medal, women’s Alpine skiing downhill.
Feb. 13: Gold medal, men’s figure skating.
Feb. 22: Gold medal game, men’s ice hockey. Closing ceremony. (Held in Verona Olympic Arena in Verona, Italy)
Where will the games take place?
The competition is expected to take place in northern Italy, although the exact locations will vary through the games depending on the specific sport and competition. The two primary competition locations are Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The primary stadiums that will be used for ice events will be San Siro Stadium, Milano Santa Giulia Arena, and Milano Ice Park (all located in Milan). The Tofane Alpine Skiing center, Cortina Sliding center, and Anterselva Biathlon Arena (all located in Cortina d’Ampezzo) will also be utilized for the games.
Who’s Competing?
This year, more than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will participate in the games. They will be competing for 195 medals in 16 Olympic disciplines. Team USA Men’s Hockey will pit against various other countries. For example, Team USA against Team Latvia on February 12, Team USA vs. Team Denmark on February 14, and Team USA vs. Team Germany on February 15. Audiences will be able to see some exceptional athletes compete like snowboarder Chloe Kim, figure skater Ilia Malinin, and some star NHL players such as Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, and Jack Hughes. This fact is made all the more exciting given that all three of these NHL players have never before competed in the Olympics; these athletes will be making their debut for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Where to Watch?
The Games will be available for viewing on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. There are also streaming apps you can utilize like NBC Olympics and NBC Sports Apps; these will be especially helpful for watching live competitions, being able to view highlights and schedules, and for viewing exclusive content. However, there is always the option to watch in person which will require you to purchase tickets for individual events through an official ticketing portal, which uses a lottery system due to extremely high demand. Prices can vary depending on the event, many preliminary events will start from 30 euros but more popular events can cap out at around 1,400 euros per ticket.
Even since the very beginning of the modern Olympic games, it has served as a way to unite the globe through exemplary competition. Through these competitions, countries are able to showcase the outstanding abilities of their talented athletes whose hard work and dedication to their sport can be displayed through the numerous events. The Olympics has been a catalyst for cultural unity and the 2026 Milano Cortina is no different. Continuing the powerful legacy of the Olympic Games, the upcoming Winter Games will certainly leave you wishing for more.
