The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, are just around the corner, and anticipation is building for the Opening Ceremony, key events, and the participation of athletes from around the globe. Scheduled from February 6 to 22, 2026, the Games promise 19 days of thrilling competition across 16 disciplines.
Opening Ceremony: A Multi-Location Extravaganza
The Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026, will officially commence the Games. In a historic first, the ceremony will unfold across multiple locations, with the main spectacle centered at Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium, home to football clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan. Celebrations will also extend to Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where delegations will participate in parades within their respective competition areas. The theme for the Opening Ceremony is "Armonia" (Harmony), symbolizing the bringing together of different elements. The ceremony will feature performances by Italian and international artists, including Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, and Andrea Bocelli.
For viewers in the United States, live coverage of the Opening Ceremony begins on February 6 at 2 p.m. ET and is expected to last about three hours. NBC and Peacock will both air an encore of the event at 8 p.m. ET. You can stream the opening ceremony on Peacock, or through live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, DirecTV, or Hulu Plus Live TV.
Key Events to Watch
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature 116 medal events. In a historic move, ski mountaineering will debut as a medal sport, with sprint races for men and women, and a mixed relay. Several new events will be introduced across different disciplines, including mixed team skeleton, women's doubles in luge, women's large hill in ski jumping, men's and women's dual moguls in freestyle skiing, and team combined in alpine skiing.
The Games will showcase a variety of winter sports, including:
- Alpine skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-country skiing
- Curling
- Figure skating
- Freestyle skiing
- Ice hockey
- Luge
- Nordic combined
- Short track speed skating
- Skeleton
- Ski jumping
- Ski mountaineering
- Snowboard
- Speed skating
India's Participation
Alpine skier Arif Mohammad Khan represented India at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. For the 2026 Winter Olympics, Izhar Arafat will be representing India. India has qualified one male alpine skier through the basic quota. While India is sending a small contingent, the nation's athletes will be striving to make their mark on the international stage.
Full Sports List
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature eight sports encompassing 16 disciplines:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboard
- Speed Skating
With the Opening Ceremony just days away, the world is ready to witness the talent, dedication, and sportsmanship that define the Winter Olympics.