Everything you need to know about watching the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 from home. Full schedule, opening ceremony details, NBC and NPR coverage, and streaming options.
Every four years, winter sports take over living rooms around the world. Suddenly, everyone has an opinion on curling strategy, luge aerodynamics, and whether figure skating judges are being fair. The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics bring that familiar magic back — only this time on a grander, more spread-out stage across northern Italy.
The 2026 Winter Games are set to be one of the most ambitious Olympic productions ever, with events happening across multiple cities and regions. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or a casual viewer who tunes in for the drama, the scenery, and the medal moments, here’s a complete guide to following the action from home.
A Winter Olympics Like No Other
The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics will feature hundreds of athletes from around the globe competing across more than two dozen venues. Sixteen different sports will be contested, with 116 medal events spread over roughly two and a half weeks.
Team USA alone is sending 232 athletes, while fans worldwide will finally be able to attend in person again — a major change from the pandemic-restricted 2022 Beijing Games. Still, you don’t need a plane ticket or thermal gloves to enjoy the spectacle. Thanks to extensive broadcasting and digital coverage, the Games are more accessible than ever.
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Opening Ceremony: When and Where to Watch
The official start of the Olympics is marked by the opening ceremony on February 6. While some competitions like curling and ice hockey begin earlier, this ceremony sets the tone for everything that follows.
The main event will take place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, one of Europe’s most iconic venues. The ceremony promises a blend of Italian culture, Olympic tradition, and star power, with performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli.
In a historic first, the ceremony won’t be limited to one location. Simultaneous celebrations and athlete parades will take place at other Olympic venues, and a second Olympic cauldron will be lit in Cortina d’Ampezzo, symbolizing the shared hosting duties.
U.S. viewers can watch live coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with a prime-time broadcast at 8 p.m. ET the same day.
How to Watch the Games in the U.S.
American viewers will have multiple ways to follow the Olympics thanks to NBC and its digital platforms. Events will be broadcast live throughout the day, with a nightly prime-time highlights show at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a late-night recap.
You can watch through:
- NBC’s main television network
- Peacock streaming service
- NBC Sports apps and websites
Peacock viewers will recognize popular features like “Gold Zone,” which jumps between the most exciting moments across events, and “Multiview,” allowing fans to watch multiple competitions at once on mobile devices.
Keep in mind that Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Time, so many live events will air earlier in the day for U.S. audiences.
Full Competition Schedule and Closing Ceremony
There are 16 full days of competition between the opening and closing ceremonies. Events are scheduled throughout the Games, depending on the sport, with medals awarded daily.
The closing ceremony will air live on February 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET, with a prime-time replay at 9 p.m. ET. The event will be held at a historic amphitheater in Verona, adding a dramatic and cultural backdrop to the final celebration.
Don’t Miss the Paralympic Games
After the Olympics conclude, the spotlight shifts to the Paralympic Games, which begin on March 6. 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 close on March 15 in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Following the Games With NPR
For fans who want more than just scores and highlights, NPR offers in-depth storytelling and context from the ground in Italy.
NPR’s dedicated Olympics team will provide:
- Daily news and recaps
- Behind-the-scenes reporting
- Cultural and human-interest stories
You can follow coverage on NPR’s website, listen on your local NPR station, stream audio via the NPR app, or subscribe to newsletters like Rachel Goes to the Games. There’s also a video podcast, Up First Winter Games, available on NPR’s YouTube channel, breaking down the biggest stories and unexpected moments of each day.
Final Thoughts
The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics are shaping up to be a landmark event — visually stunning, geographically unique, and packed with world-class competition. Whether you’re watching for the medals, the music, or the unforgettable stories, following the Games from home has never been easier.
Set your reminders, clear your schedule, and get ready to become a winter sports expert — at least until the closing ceremony fades to black.
