Milan Cortina 2026: How to Watch the Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, are fast approaching, offering a wealth of winter sports action for viewers across the United States. The Games officially begin on , though competition in some sports will start as early as .
For those eager to witness the spectacle, a variety of options are available, ranging from traditional cable television to comprehensive streaming packages. NBCUniversal will once again be the primary broadcaster, with coverage spread across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. Streaming will be heavily emphasized, with Peacock playing a central role in delivering live events and extensive on-demand content.
Opening Ceremony Details
The opening ceremony, a highlight of any Olympic Games, is scheduled for , with live coverage beginning at on both NBC and Peacock. This year’s ceremony promises a unique approach, being the first Winter Games to utilize a multi-centered format, with celebrations taking place across multiple venues in Italy rather than a single stadium. The ceremony will be held at San Siro Stadium in Milan and will feature performances and the iconic Parade of Nations, culminating in the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons.
For viewers who miss the initial broadcast, NBC will air an enhanced primetime encore presentation at . NBC Sports legend Terry Gannon will host the ceremony, joined by Mary Carillo, while three-time Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White will provide commentary during the Parade of Nations. Mike Tirico, NBC Olympics primetime host, will also contribute to coverage remotely as he prepares for Super Bowl LX on .
Where to Watch
Traditional cable subscribers can access live coverage and the primetime encore on NBC. However, streaming offers a more comprehensive viewing experience. Peacock will be a key platform, offering extensive live coverage and on-demand replays. Viewers can also stream events on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, and the NBC Sports App.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will feature nearly 3,000 athletes competing across 116 events in 16 sports. NBC Olympics has created a schedule page on NBCOlympics.com to help viewers navigate the extensive coverage. The schedule can be filtered by sport, event, athlete, and event type, such as medal events or Team USA competitions. A toggle allows users to view either the full TV and digital schedule or the TV-only schedule.
The United States is sending its largest-ever contingent of winter athletes to compete in the Games, adding to the excitement for American fans. With a wide range of viewing options available, fans will have numerous opportunities to follow the action and witness history being made in Milan and Cortina.
The Games will continue through , with the Closing Ceremony marking the end of the competition.
