Where to watch the Winter Olympics: Schedule, medal events, and live streaming info
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David McIntyre/ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect
The 2026 Milano Cortina Games bring the world's best Winter sports athletes to Italy for a little over two weeks of high-adrenaline competition. It's can't-miss entertainment, but the viewing options and schedule get a bit complicated. That's why we've scoured the internet to compile all the details on tuning into the Games, including where to watch the Winter Olympics and a breakdown of this weekend's schedule.
With one week of the Winter Olympics already done, several sports have already completed their medal events, including luge, downhill skiing, team event ice skating, and others. Fortunately, several other sports are just getting started, and there's still plenty of ice hockey, figure skating, bobsleigh, curling, and snowboarding events, among others. There are also still several skiing events, including the brand-new ski mountaineering ("skimo") event, which joins the Olympic roster for the first time this year.
Keep reading to learn about tuning in around the world, including free streaming options. If you scroll to the very bottom of this story, you can find a massive schedule of every medal event taking place this weekend (February 14 to 15, 2026).
Where to watch the Winter Olympics in the US
In the US, NBCUniversal holds the rights to the Olympics. Coverage will be broadcast across NBC, along with USA Network and CNBC. Some events will be shown live, while others will air in primetime on a delay. Even if you have cable, we recommend signing up for Peacock, since it's the official hub for the Olympics and covers all Winter Olympics sports live (including several training events).
Olympic-friendly Peacock plans include Premium, which costs $11 a month, and Premium Plus, which costs $17 a month. The two tiers offer the same Olympic content, and the main difference between the plans is that Premium offers ad-supported on-demand streaming, which Premium Plus unlocks ad-free on-demand streaming and a 24/7 live stream of your local NBC station.
If you're looking for something with additional channels beyond just those owned by NBCUniversal, then one of the best live TV streaming services might be of interest. You can learn more in our guide on how to watch NBC. Just keep in mind that NBC channels are currently missing from Fubo.
DirecTV is the best overall cable alternative we've tested, and the streamer carries NBC, USA, and CNBC in several of its plans. Signature subscriptions start at $90 a month for the Entertainment plan, but these channels are also available in the cheaper MySports genre pack. At $70 a month, this plan is a sports lover's dream, with around 20 key sports networks and ESPN Unlimited access. All DirecTV plans come with a five-day free trial for new customers.
Sling TV is another solid live TV streaming option and offers a more budget-minded approach. Local channels, like NBC, vary by region on Sling, so you'll want to check what's available in your ZIP code before signing up. If you have access to NBC, you'll need to sign up for Sling Select or Sling Blue. Sling Select (10+ channels) costs $25 a month when local networks are available. Sling Blue (40+ channels) costs $50 a month when local networks are available. Sling Blue also carries the USA Network, so it's your best bet for tuning into additional Olympics coverage outside the main NBC broadcasts.
Where to watch the Winter Olympics in Canada
In Canada, coverage of the Winter Olympics will be available through CBC. This means viewers can catch up with coverage live and on demand through CBC Gem, a free streaming option.
Where to watch the Winter Olympics in the UK
Select Olympics coverage will be available on the BBC in the UK, meaning fans will be able to live stream events for free via BBC iPlayer. British viewers with a valid TV license just need to create an iPlayer account if they don't already have one, and then they're all set to start watching. Like the Summer Olympics in 2024, comprehensive Olympic coverage is available through a paid service. This year, that's Discovery Plus. Sports-centric subscriptions start at £31 a month, although Olympics coverage should be available in all tiers.
Where to watch the Winter Olympics in Italy
Unsurprisingly, the host nation has a bounty of coverage. The Olympics are available on RAI in Italy, which means Italians can live stream select coverage for free on RaiPlay. Users just need to register an account if they don't already have one, and then they're all set to start watching. Olympic coverage is also available through paid HBO Max subscriptions in Italy.
Where to watch the Winter Olympics in Australia
The Winter Olympics are being shown on Channel 9 in Australia and available to live stream via 9Now. This is a free streaming option, which only requires account creation to use. Full Olympic coverage will be available through Stan Sport, which costs $32 a month ($12 for the base plan and another $20 for the Sport option).
How to watch the Winter Olympics from anywhere
If you'll be away from somewhere like Australia or the UK during the Olympics and are still hoping to access your free streaming option, you can do so with the help of a VPN. These virtual private networks are handy tech tools that let you temporarily change your device's virtual location, enabling you to use your favorite websites from anywhere. They're extra popular among those looking to keep up with their usual apps while traveling abroad and upgrade their cybersecurity.
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market, thanks to its user-friendliness and 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the service in our official NordVPN review.
When are the Opening and Closing Ceremonies?
The Opening Ceremony took place on February 6 at 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT / 3 a.m. AWST (February 7 in Australia). The star-studded event marked the official start of the Winter Olympics, although select events began on February 4. The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for February 22 at around 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT / 4 a.m. AWST (February 23 in Australia). The same viewing options that allowed you to watch the Opening Ceremony should also carry broadcasts/streams of the Closing Ceremony. Both ceremonies typically last multiple hours.
When are the 2026 Paralympics?
The Paralympic Winter Games will be held from March 6 to 15, 2026. Many of the services that carry Olympic coverage will also carry Paralympic coverage. Events include Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling (which begins on March 4).
Winter Olympics Weekend Schedule: Medal Events on February 14-15, 2026
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