The Winter Olympics (the Milano Cortina 2026) begin this week in Milan, Italy, with the competition running through Feb. 22. The Opening Ceremony takes place Friday afternoon, but speed skating events will begin that morning. You can watch some of the curling matches for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV.

Some individual athletes from the banned countries will be permitted to participate in the Milano Cortina Winter Games

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — After speculation as to whether or not Lightning star Brayden Point would be able to play in the Olympics, Canada Hockey announced on Thursday afternoon that he would miss the games in Milan-Cortina and has been replaced by Seth Jarvis.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are bringing thousands of athletes from around the world together for more than two weeks of competition — and the Games are a gold mine for statistics.

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 Winter Games, which officially open in Italy on Friday, are rooted in international cooperation. That feels out of place to some in a world where old rules no longer apply.

Vonn has been on a historic comeback attempt for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games officially kick off on February 6 on NBC and Peacock, and right from the start, Mike Tirico will be broadcasting from the very center of Northern Italy’s athletic hustle and bustle.