In the words of Winter Olympics 2026 performer Mariah Carey, “it’s tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!”
Well, almost time for the Marino Cortina Games, which will unite viewers worldwide for three weeks in February. From gravity-defying figure skaters to adrenaline-chasing snowboarders, athletes from over 90 countries will convene in the snowy mountains of Italy—as well as the country’s historic cities—to compete in 16 of the riskiest and most beautiful sports held on the ice and snow.
Before the festivities officially kick off with a star-studded Opening Ceremony on February 6, here’s everything you need to know about the Winter Olympics 2026.
Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place?
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are spread across Milan and resort towns throughout the Dolomites, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva.
The official Opening Ceremony will take place at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, though Olympic athletes and their teams will take part in celebrations in the areas hosting their competitions. To mark the end of the games, the Closing Ceremonies will take place at the Verona Olympic Arena, a historic Roman amphitheater about two hours outside Milan.
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When are the 2026 Winter Olympics?
As always, the lead-up to the Olympics began in Greece when the lighting ceremony kicked off the Olympic Torch Relay on November 26. Throughout the following weeks, official torchbearers carried the symbolic flame throughout various regions of Italy, including the town of Feltre, where Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie took their turn with the Olympic Torch.
While some Winter Olympic qualifying rounds begin on Wednesday, February 4, the Milano Cortino Games officially commence with the Opening Ceremony on February 6 and run until Sunday, February 22.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics
U.S. viewers will be able to catch all of the action on NBC and Peacock, with plenty of daytime programming due to the six-hour time difference between Milan and Eastern Standard Time. Preliminary and round-robin competitions can be watched live on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock starting on February 4. You can view the full schedule here.
On February 6, NBC and Peacock’s live coverage of the Opening Ceremony begins at 1:40 pm ET, while primetime coverage starts at 8 pm ET. The closing ceremony will air live on NBC at 2:30 pm ET on February 22.
Who is performing in the Opening Ceremony?
The theme of this year’s ceremony is harmony (or “armonia,” in Italian). Italy’s pride and joy Andrea Bocelli will headline the ceremony, which will also feature musical performances by five-time Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey and famed Chinese pianist Lang Lang. Grammy-winning Italian singer Laura Pausini, opera singer Cecilia Bartoli, and Italian rapper Ghali will also perform.