Are you ready for the 2026 Olympics? Here's everything you need to know about watching the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Games.
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off this week with the Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony. The theme for the start of the Winter Games is "Armonia," or harmony in English. Expect to see nearly 3,000 athletes participate in parades, the passing of the Olympic flame and lighting of the Olympic cauldron, and performances from Italian artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Ghali. Mariah Carey is also set to perform.
The Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony will officially begin at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. An enhanced primetime encore broadcast will re-air on NBC that evening at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Here's what else you need to know about watching the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. Looking for how to watch the Winter Games? Yahoo Sports has you covered.
How to watch the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony:
Date: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
When is the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The Winter Olympics officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 6 (though some events will start as early as Feb. 4). The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games will run through Feb. 22.
Olympics Opening Ceremony start time:
The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Games will begin at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT on Friday, Feb. 6. It will also re-air in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.
2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony channel:
All of the 2026 Winter Olympics, including the Opening Ceremony, will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock.
TODAY Show host Savannah Guthrie and NBC Sports legend Terry Gannon will host coverage of the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony, with help from three-time Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White.
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony without cable:
Who is performing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony?
Nearly 3,000 athletes will participate in the Opening Ceremony this Friday. In addition to the Olympians, Mariah Carey has been announced as a headlining performer. Carey will join Italian actress Matilda De Angelis, who will serve as a central narrative voice for the Opening Ceremony.
How long is the Olympic Opening Ceremony?
The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is expected to last around three hours.
Where are the Winter Olympics this year?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Northern Italy, primarily in Milan and also the Alpine mountain resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Opening Ceremony will primarily take place inside San Siro Stadium.
Winter Olympics time difference:
This year's Olympic Games are in Italy, which is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. Meaning that some events will start bright and early for U.S. viewers, and live coverage will likely wrap up around 4 p.m. ET each day. NBC will have primetime replays of the biggest moments each night.
2026 Winter Olympics TV/streaming schedule:
All times Eastern.
Wednesday, Feb. 4 (Pre-opening competition begins)
Curling (round robin) – 2:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (round robin) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Alpine skiing training – 3:00–6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Thursday, Feb. 5
Curling (round robin) – 2:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (round robin) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Freestyle skiing qualifications – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard qualifications – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Friday, Feb. 6 – Opening ceremony
Curling (round robin) – 2:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (team event short programs) – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard slopestyle qualifications – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating (early distances) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Opening ceremony – 2:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Opening ceremony – 8:00 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)
Saturday, Feb. 7
Alpine skiing (men's downhill) – 3:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard slopestyle finals – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating medals – 7:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (team free programs) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (group play begins) – 10:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Sunday, Feb. 8
Alpine skiing (women’s downhill) – 3:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Freestyle skiing moguls finals – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (pairs short program) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Luge (singles runs) – 9:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (group play) – 12:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Monday, Feb. 9
Biathlon sprint – 5:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating medals – 7:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (pairs free skate – medals) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (round robin) – 9:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Skeleton (heat 1–2) – 11:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Alpine skiing (giant slalom) – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard halfpipe qualifications – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (men’s short program) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (round robin) – 10:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Nordic combined – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Freestyle skiing aerials finals – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (men’s free skate – medals) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating medals – 11:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Thursday, Feb. 12
Alpine skiing (slalom) – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard halfpipe finals – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (ice dance rhythm dance) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (medal round qualifiers) – 10:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Friday, Feb. 13
Biathlon pursuit – 5:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (ice dance free dance – medals) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Skeleton finals – 10:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (quarterfinals) – 12:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Saturday, Feb. 14
Alpine skiing (tea.m. combined) – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Cross-country skiing distance race – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (women’s short program) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating medals – 11:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Sunday, Feb. 15
Snowboard cross finals – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating (women’s free skate – medals) – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Luge relay – 11:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (semifinals) – 1:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Monday, Feb. 16
Freestyle skiing dual moguls – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Cross-country skiing team sprint – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (medal games) – 10:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Biathlon relay – 5:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating team pursuit – 7:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (placement games) – 12:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Alpine skiing (final technical events) – 4:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Freestyle skiing big air – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Curling (gold medal match) – 9:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Thursday, Feb. 19
Cross-country skiing marathon – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Snowboard parallel events – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Hockey (bronze medal games) – 1:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Friday, Feb. 20
Biathlon mass start – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Speedskating final medals – 8:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Figure skating gala – 1:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Saturday, Feb. 21
Men's hockey gold medal game – 12:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Women's hockey gold medal game – 3:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Men's hockey gold medal game – 8:00 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Closing Ceremony
Cross-country skiing final event – 6:00 a.m. (Peacock – Live)
Closing Ceremony – 2:00 p.m. (Peacock – Live)
Closing Ceremony – 8:00 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)
More ways to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC:
Category: General Sports
