When Do the Winter Olympics Start: Dates & How to Watch

If you’re asking “when do the winter olympics start,” you’re not alone—searches surge whenever dates, broadcast plans or a star athlete’s status shifts. Right now the calendar and TV deals are fresh in people’s minds, and U.S. viewers want to know when to mark their calendars, especially for the opening ceremony and marquee events.

When do the Winter Olympics start — official dates

The next Winter Olympics are scheduled to start with the opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, with competition running through February 22, 2026. That window defines the official Games period for Milan-Cortina 2026 and answers the core question of when do the winter olympics start this cycle.

Opening ceremonies traditionally kick off the Games the evening before most competitions begin; for viewers in the U.S., the local time difference matters for live viewing and highlights.

Opening ceremony: what to expect and timing

The ceremony for Milan-Cortina 2026 will take place on February 6 local time. Because Italy is on Central European Time (CET) in February, a typical 8 p.m. CET ceremony airs early in the afternoon in the U.S. (about 2 p.m. ET). Broadcasters sometimes show delayed primetime presentations, so check local listings for live vs. tape-delayed coverage.

How to watch in the United States

U.S. broadcast rights are held by NBCUniversal; expect live coverage and highlights across NBC, NBCSN (or its successor networks), and streaming on NBCOlympics.com and Peacock. For official schedules and session-by-session listings, the official Olympics site has the authoritative program and venue details.

Streaming tips: create or confirm your Peacock account ahead of time, set DVRs for must-see sessions (figure skating, downhill, snowboard finals), and follow social channels for live clips if you miss an event.

Short comparison: recent Winter Olympics dates

Here’s a quick table comparing the last two Winter Games with the upcoming 2026 Games so you can see how start dates shift by host and year.

Why this is trending now

The chatter around “when do the winter olympics start” is driven by a cluster of timely updates: final event schedules, national team selections, and broadcaster promos that remind viewers to plan. Add the social buzz around athletes and qualifiers, and curiosity spikes—especially among U.S. fans trying to arrange time off, viewing parties, or streaming packages.

Who’s searching and why

Mostly U.S. audiences: casual sports fans, devoted Olympic followers, families planning viewing parties, and travelers thinking about attending. Knowledge levels vary—from people who just want the opening date to enthusiasts tracking session times and medal prospects.

Key events and what to watch

Wondering which sessions are unmissable? Here’s what typically drives the biggest viewing numbers and conversation:

• Opening ceremony: spectacle, flags, and the first parade of athletes.
• Figure skating (singles and pairs): often the highest-rated events for U.S. viewers.
• Alpine skiing (downhill, super-G): fast, dramatic medal moments.
• Snowboard slopestyle and halfpipe: young stars and viral highlights.
• Ice hockey: national-team rivalries draw big audiences.

Time zone planning: live vs. primetime

Because the Winter Games are in Europe for 2026, live sessions will fall in U.S. daytime hours for Eastern and Central viewers and morning for Pacific viewers. Broadcasters sometimes package primetime highlight shows to capture larger audiences after work, which means you can choose live streaming or primetime recaps depending on your schedule.

Tip: if you want live medal moments, set alerts for the event finals rather than relying on primetime schedules.

Sample U.S. time conversions

Italy (CET) is typically 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time in February. That means a late-evening event in Milan often airs in the afternoon ET and closer to mid-morning PT. Confirm exact session start times via the official Olympic schedule or your broadcaster’s listings.

Real-world examples: scheduling headaches and fixes

From past Games, here’s what I’ve noticed: live stream buffering spikes during big events, networks sometimes prioritize tape-delay for primetime, and athletes’ medal presentations can be scheduled hours after the actual finish. My practical fix: use a mix of live streams for finals and on-demand highlights for everything else.

Practical takeaways — how to prepare now

• Mark February 6–22, 2026 on your calendar now so you don’t miss the opening.
• Create or verify your Peacock/NBC account and check if your cable package includes NBC channels.
• Set DVR alerts for specific athletes or events (figure skating, downhill, hockey).
• Follow official accounts for real-time updates and schedule changes.
• Plan viewing parties around afternoon live events for Eastern viewers or primetime highlight shows for Pacific viewers.

Where to get authoritative updates

For verified and up-to-the-minute information, rely on primary sources: the IOC’s official site for schedules and venues, the Winter Olympics Wikipedia page for historical context, and NBCOlympics.com for U.S. broadcast times and streaming details.

Final notes and a look ahead

So, when do the winter olympics start? February 6–22, 2026 is the short answer for Milan-Cortina. But what matters for viewers is how those dates translate into local start times, broadcast plans and the moments you don’t want to miss. Mark the dates, choose your viewing method, and expect headlines, surprises and memorable performances once the torch is lit.

Curious which athletes are most likely to shine? Keep an eye on national trials and pre-Games warm-ups; they’re often the best predictor of who’ll dominate the headlines when the Games actually begin.