MILAN (AP) — An unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago.

Get ready to see the world's best athletes go head-to-head in their quest for the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic venues spread across Northern Italy. From the city lights of Milan to the snowy peaks of the Dolomites,

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics kick off in February 2026! Check out fun facts about athletes, events and more now.

Here are 16 figures to know about the Milan Cortina Olympics—from the eye-popping equipment costs to the multibillion-dollar budget to the age of the oldest arena.

When the Winter Games kick off with the opening ceremony on Friday it won’t just be the athletes who are going to be tested.

Live Coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is Tomorrow, Feb. 6th on NBC and Peacock; Live Coverage Begins at 2 p.m. ET, with Primetime Coverage at 8 p.m. ET/PT

The media giant is betting that high-wattage celebrities, YouTube stars and a plan to turn athletes into social media sensations can drive viewer interest in the actual games themselves.

In Cortina d’Ampezzo you can’t escape the fact the mountain town is gearing up for its second Winter Olympics. In Milan you could easily miss that the Games are about to start. The vibe in the two main hubs for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games could not be more different.