The world is turning its eyes to Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) officially kicks off. From the snowy peaks of the Dolomites to the vibrant streets of Milan, this edition promises to be the most geographically expansive and technologically advanced Winter Games in history.
Whether you are a die-hard sports fan or cheering for India’s contingent, here is everything you need to know.
The Big Kick-Off: Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics
A grand Opening Ceremony marks the official start.
- Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
- Venue: San Siro Stadium, Milan
- India Time (IST): 12:30 AM (Saturday, Feb 7)
- Highlights: Expect a spectacular show featuring Italian icons like Andrea Bocelli and global stars like Mariah Carey.
Day-by-Day Sports Schedule (Major Highlights)
While the Opening Ceremony is on the 6th, preliminary events like Curling have already begun today, February 4, 2026.
| Date | Key Events & Medal Matches | Local Time (CET) |
| Feb 4-5 | Curling (Mixed Doubles), Women’s Ice Hockey | 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM |
| Feb 6 | Opening Ceremony | 08:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Feb 7 | Men’s Downhill (Alpine Skiing), Speed Skating | 11:00 AM – 08:30 PM |
| Feb 8 | Women’s Downhill, Biathlon Mixed Relay | 11:30 AM – 08:00 PM |
| Feb 11-13 | Figure Skating (Men’s Finals), Snowboard Cross | 09:30 AM – 06:30 PM |
| Feb 18-19 | Women’s Slalom (Skiing), Ski Mountaineering | 10:30 AM – 07:30 PM |
| Feb 21 | Curling Gold Medal Matches, Ice Hockey Semis | 08:30 AM – 09:00 PM |
| Feb 22 | Men’s Ice Hockey Final, Closing Ceremony | 12:30 PM – 11:00 PM |
2026 Winter Olympics Venue: Where the Magic Happens
This year, the games are spread across Northern Italy to utilize existing world-class facilities:
- Milan: Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Alpine Skiing (Women), Curling, Bobsleigh.
- Bormio: Alpine Skiing (Men), Ski Mountaineering.
- Val di Fiemme: Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping.
- Anterselva: Biathlon.
- Verona: Closing Ceremony (at the historic Arena di Verona).
2026 Winter Olympics Tickets:
App Requirement: Download the “Tickets MilanoCortina2026” app to access, transfer, or manage tickets.
Official Source: tickets.milanocortina2026.org is the sole authorized platform.
Hospitality Packages: Available through official partner On Location.
Where to Watch: Broadcast & Streaming Live
No matter where you are, you can catch the action live. Here is the breakdown of channels and platforms:
- India: JioCinema and Sports18, Sports18 Khel (Hindi). Since the games start at 09:00 AM CET, Indian viewers can watch from 01:30 PM IST onwards.
- Italy (Host): RAI (Free-to-Air) will provide 24/7 coverage. Eurosport will also be available for all European regions.
- USA: NBC/Peacock. Note that 10:00 AM in Italy is 04:00 AM in New York (EST).
- UK: BBC and Discovery+ will broadcast from 08:00 AM GMT.
- Olympics.com: Live scores, highlights, and select event replays are available globally on the official 2026 Winter Olympics website and app.
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