The 2026 Winter Olympics Are Here—Dates, Events, and Who’s Competing for Team USA ...Saudi Arabia

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The 2026 Winter Olympics Are Here—Dates, Events, and Who’s Competing for Team USA

Cold weather, hot competition! For the third time, Italy is set to stage the Winter Olympics. This time around, the games will make history as the first to be hosted by two cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Close to 2,900 athletes from more than 90 countries are expected to compete in the XXV Winter Olympic Games, kicking off today—Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026!

This year’s U.S. Winter Olympic Team is one of the largest ever with 232 athletes—including many returning Olympians such as Lindsey Vonn (Alpine skiing), Chloe Kim (snowboarding) and Ilia Malinin (figure skating).

    Rocky Harris—USOPC Chief of Sport and Athlete Services and Team USA Chef de Mission—described the 2026 Team USA roster as "a team full of proven champions and fearless newcomers that have the potential to take Team USA’s winter performance to a new level—and inspire a nation in the process."

    Before the action begins, here is everything to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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    When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start?

    The 2026 games commence today—Wednesday, Feb. 4—two days before the Opening Ceremony. Due to the packed schedule, preliminary rounds for curling and women's ice hockey will kick off early to ensure all events fit into the 19-day window.

    The Milano Ice Skating Arena

    Photo by Maja Hitij on Getty Images

    Italy is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, with events spread across the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are the main hosts, but competitions will also be held in Verona, Livigno, Bormio (home of the famous Stelvio slope), Anterselva, Predazzo and Tesero.

    Related: Why Are Two Different Cities Hosting the Olympics for the First Time?

    When is the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    The Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 6 at the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium.

    What time does the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony start?

    The opening ceremony starts at 8 p.m. local time, so 2 p.m. ET, which is when NBC's live coverage will begin. An "enhanced encore" will air later—at 8 p.m. ET—on NBC, Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms. 

    Mariah Carey arrives at the Milan Airport on Feb. 2. 2026.

    Photo by Civetta on Getty Images

    The confirmed lineup of performers is a mix of global superstars and Italian icons, including:

    Mariah CareyAndrea BocelliLaura Pausini (Italian singer-songwriter)Lang Lang (Chinese pianist)Cecilia Bartoli (Italian mezzo-soprano)Ghali (Italian-Tunisian rapper)Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus alum)Pierfrancesco Favino (Italian actor)Matilda De Angelis (Italian actress and narrator)

    How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?

    The opening ceremony will air on NBC and stream on Peacock. The coverage will be hosted by NBC Sports commentator Terry Gannon. TODAY'sSavannah Guthrie was slated to co-host, but on Feb. 3, 2026, NBC Sports released the following statement: “Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon.”

    Related: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom: TMZ Reports Receiving Unverified Ransom Note About Nancy Guthrie

    How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    NBCUniversal is broadcasting the Games across multiple platforms. Here's the most up-to-date viewing guide:

    NBC: This year, the network will air over 230 hours of coverage—more than any previous Winter Olympics. Viewers can expect at least five hours of daytime coverage daily—including live finals for skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and hockey.Peacock: This is the Winter Games' epicenter: Peacock will stream every sport and event live, plus all medal ceremonies.USA Network: Billed as the "24/7 home of Team USA," this channel will feature round-the-clock coverage of American athletes.CNBC: Coverage will air on weekends and weekdays after its business day programming ends.  Team USA will once again be sporting uniform apparel and accessories from Ralph Lauren.

    Since 2008, Ralph Lauren has outfitted the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. At the 2026 opening and closing ceremonies, Team USA will once again be sporting uniform apparel and accessories from Ralph Lauren, which are available for purchase at RalphLauren.com, TeamUSAShop.com and select stores in the United States and Italy.

    "Ralph Lauren has had the immense privilege of outfitting Team USA for nearly 20 years, and the significance and sheer magnitude of dressing our nation’s incredible athletes—on the most dramatic stage in sport as they pursue their lifelong dreams—is an honor that never fades," said David Lauren, Chief Branding and Innovation Officer at Ralph Lauren Corporation.

    "Our design philosophy has always been about creating dreams and telling stories through style, and these uniforms, both timeless and modern, reflect the passion, optimism, and relentless pursuit of excellence that embody the American spirit," he continued. "With Milan—one of the great fashion capitals—as this year’s backdrop, we sought to honor the city’s creative spirit while staying true to the enduring style that defines Ralph Lauren."

    Related: 125 Olympics Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your Knowledge of the Games’ History

    How many athletes make up Team USA?

    232 athletes will represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This marks the second-largest U.S. delegation in Winter Games history.

    How many Team USA members are returning for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing), Evan Bates (figure skating), Jessie Diggins (cross-country skiing) and Chloe Kim (snowboarding) are among the 98 athletes who have previously competed in the Olympics and who are returning for the 2026 Games.

    Fans are hoping Lindsey Vonn is able to compete in the 2026 Winter Games.

    Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images

    Will Lindsey Vonn compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    The week before the start of the 2026 Olympics, Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to a hospital after falling in the Crans Montana downhill. In a message shared on Instagram on Jan. 30, the alpine ski racer, who was set to compete in the Games, wrote: "I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it."

    On Sunday, Feb. 1, her coach—Chris Knight—told the Associated Press via text message: “She is not racing today but preparing for Cortina as usual." On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Vonn shared the following post on Instagram, updating her fans on her injuries—an ACL tear and bone bruise. However, she remains determined to compete in the Winter Games.

    View this post on Instagram

    Olympic Newcomers to watch:

    Ilia Malinin

    Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

    Ilia Malinin ("The Quad God"): As gold medalist Scott Hamilton previously told Parade, this 21-year-old figure skating phenom is favored to win it all. The two-time World Champion will make his Olympic debut in Milan.Abby Winterberger: At just 15 years old, this California freeskier is making history as the youngest member of Team USA. She will be competing in the halfpipe.Rich Ruohonen: On the flip side, keep an eye on this 54-year-old curler, who is the oldest athlete on the roster—proving age is just a number!

    Related: What Do the Olympic Rings Symbolize?

    Which sports will the 2026 Winter Olympics include?

    This year's Winter Games will feature 16 sports:

    Alpine Skiing BiathlonBobsleigh Cross-Country Skiing Curling Figure SkatingFreestyle Skiing Ice Hockey LugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSki MountaineeringSnowboardSpeed Skating Speed skating phenom Jordan Stolz trains in Milan on Feb. 3.

    Photo by Joosep Martinson on Getty Images

    Amelia HurtBreezy JohnsonBryce BennettIsabella WrightJacqueline WilesKatherine HensienKeely CashmanKyle NegomirLindsey VonnMary BocockMikaela ShiffrinNina O'BrienPaula MoltzanRiver RadamusRyan Cochran-SiegleRyder SarchettSam Morse

    Biathlon

    Campbell WrightDeedra IrwinJoanne ReidLucinda AndersonMargaret FreedMaxime GermainPaul SchommerSean Doherty

    Azaria HillBoone NiederhoferBryan SosooCaleb FurnellCarsten VisseringElana Meyers TaylorFrank Del DucaHunter PowellJadin O'BrienJasmine JonesJoshua WilliamsonKaillie HumphriesKaysha LoveKristopher Horn

    Cross-Country Skiing

    Ben OgdenGus SchumacherHailey SwirbulHunter WondersJack YoungJames SchoonmakerJessie DigginsJohn Steel HagenbuchJulia KernKendall KramerLauren JortbergNovie McCabeRosie BrennanSamantha SmithZak KettersonZanden McMullen

    Aidan OldenburgAileen GevingBenjamin RichardsonCory ThiesseDaniel CasperKorey DropkinLuc VioletteRich RuohonenTabitha LovickTara PetersonTaylor Anderson

    Figure Skating

    Alysa LiuAmber GlennAndrew TorgashevAnthony PonomarenkoChristina CarreiraDaniel O'SheaEllie KamEmilea ZingasEmily ChanEvan BatesIlia MalininIsabeau LevitoMadison ChockMaxim NaumovSpencer HoweVadym Kolesnik

    Abby WinterbergerAlexander FerreiraAlexander HallAvery KrummeBirk IrvingGrace HendersonHunter HessKate GrayKonnor RalphMac ForehandMarin HamillNicholas GoepperRell HarwoodRiley JacobsSvea IrvingTroy Podmilsak

    Freestyle Skiing

    Charlie MickelChristopher LillisConnor CurranDerek KruegerDylan WalczykElizabeth LemleyJaelin KaufKaila KuhnKyra DossaLandon WendlerNick PageOlivia GiaccioQuinn DehlingerTasia TannerTess JohnsonWinter Vinecki

    Auston MatthewsBraeden TkachukBrock FaberBrock NelsonCharles McAvoyClayton KellerConnor HellebuyckDylan LarkinJ.T. MillerJaccob SlavinJack HughesJackson LaCombeJake GuentzelJake OettingerJake SandersonJeremy SwaymanJohn EichelKyle ConnorMatt BoldyMatthew TkachukNoah HanifinQuinn HughesTage ThompsonVincent TrocheckZach Werenski

    Ice Hockey: Women's

    Abbey MurphyAerin FrankelAlexandra CarpenterAva McNaughtonBritta Curl-SalemmeCaroline HarveyCayla BarnesGrace ZumwinkleGwyneth PhilipsHaley WinnHannah BilkaHayley ScamurraHilary KnightJoy DunneKelly PannekKendall Coyne SchofieldKirsten SimmsLaila EdwardsLee SteckleinMegan KellerRory GuildayTaylor HeiseTessa Janecke

    Ansel HaugsjaaAshley FarquharsonChevonne ForganEmily FischnallerJonathan GustafsonMarcus MuellerMatthew GreinerSean HollanderSophia KirkbySummer BritcherZachary DiGregorio

    Nordic Combined

    Ben LoomisNiklas Malacinski

    Austin FlorianDaniel BarefootKelly CurtisMystique Ro

    Ski Jumping

    Annika BelshawJason ColbyJosie JohnsonKevin BicknerPaige JonesTate Frantz

    Anna GibsonCameron Smith

    Snowboarding

    Alessandro BarbieriBea KimBrandon KimBrianna SchnorrbuschChase BlackwellChase JoseyChloe KimCody WintersFaye ThelenHahna NormanHanna PercyIris PflumJake CanterJake PatesJake VedderJess PerlmutterLily DhawornvejMaddie MastroMadeline SchaffrickNathan PareNick BaumgartnerOliver MartinRed GerardSean FitzSimonsStacy Gaskill

    Brittany BoweCasey DawsonConor McDermott-MostowyCooper McLeodEmery LehmanErin JacksonEthan CepuranGiorgia BirkelandGreta MyersJordan StolzMia ManganelloSarah WarrenZachary Stoppelmoor

    Speedskating (Short Track)

    Andrew HeoBrandon KimClayton DeClementeCorinne StoddardEunice LeeJulie LetaiKamryn LuteKristen Santos-Griswold

    Will there be new sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    Yes! For the first time, Ski Mountaineering—often called "Skimo"—has been added to the Winter Olympics lineup.

    There will be a whopping 116 medal events across 16 disciplines.

    Will there be new events at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

    Of the 116 events, eight will be new to the 2026 Games. They include:

    Ski Mountaineering: Men's SprintSki Mountaineering: Women's SprintSki Mountaineering: Mixed RelaySkeleton: Mixed Team EventLuge: Women's DoublesFreestyle Skiing: Men's Dual MogulsFreestyle Skiing: Women's Dual MogulsSki Jumping: Women's Large Hill Individual

    While there are over 100 events, here are some key medal days for figure skating and hockey fans to take note of:

    Saturday, Feb. 7: Men's Alpine Skiing DownhillSunday, Feb. 8: Figure Skating Team Event (Men's Free Skate)Sunday, Feb. 8: Women's Alpine Skiing DownhillWednesday, Feb. 11: Figure Skating: Ice Dance (Free Dance)Friday, Feb. 13: Figure Skating: Men's Singles (Free Skate)Monday, Feb. 16: Figure Skating: Pairs (Free Skate)Monday, Feb. 16: Bobsled: Women's Monobob Heat 4 (Final)Thursday, Feb. 19: Figure Skating: Women's Singles (Free Skate)Thursday, Feb. 19: Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal GameThursday, Feb. 19: Ski Mountaineering: Men's & Women's Sprint FinalsSaturday, Feb. 21: Ski Mountaineering: Mixed RelaySunday, Feb. 22: Men's Ice Hockey Gold Medal GameSunday, Feb. 22: Bobsled: 4-Man Heat 4 (Final)

    When do the 2026 Winter Olympics end?

    The Winter Games will officially come to an end on Sunday, Feb. 22.

    The closing ceremony will be held on Feb. 22 in the historic Verona Arena (Arena di Verona), a Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy.

    When are the next Winter Games?

    Following the Games in Italy, the next Winter Olympics will take place in 2030 in the French Alps.

    When are the next Olympic Games?

    Prior to the Winter Games in the French Alps, the Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, California, in 2028.

    Next up: 17 Athletes to Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics—Including Lindsey Vonn’s Historic Return

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