The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are just weeks away. Like the summer Olympics, they’re held every four years, and they feature numerous winter sports, including figure skating, ice hockey and snowboarding. Whether you’re watching the Olympics for major athletes like Chloe Kim or just want to see hockey players battle it out on the ice, I’ve created this guide to help. Here’s how to watch the games, what you need for hosting a watch party and items to shop before the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Where to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics
When Are the 2026 Olympics?
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be taking place in Italy (in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo) from Friday, Feb. 6, to Sunday, Feb. 22. Events like ice hockey, figure skating and curling will take place over the course of several days, while events like ski mountaineering and snowboarding are slotted for specific days. See the full competition schedule here.
Where to Watch
There are multiple ways to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics live from the comfort of home. You can stream events via NBCOlympics.com, and if you miss an event, you can view it (and get all of the information) on the website. Right now, you can also catch up on videos from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and replays from the speed skating trials.
If you have a subscription to Peacock, you can also watch competitions live. Snag a Select monthly membership for $8 or an annual membership for $80 a year. For a slight upgrade, go with a Premium monthly membership for $11 or $110 annually. The highest tier membership, Premium Plus, is $17 a month and $170 a year.
And if you’re traveling during the Olympics or live outside of the U.S. and still want to join in on the fun, here’s a full breakdown of where to watch the games live.
Sports and Athletes
There are a number of sports to watch and athletes to cheer on during the 2026 Winter Olympics. From ice skating to snowboarding to ski jumping, see the full list of the 2026 Winter Olympics sports here. And this year, the Winter Olympics have included ski mountaineering in the lineup, which takes place on Feb. 19 and Feb. 21.
As for athletes, I’m excited to see the snowboarding legend Chloe Kim, along with athletes like Jessie Diggins, Erin Jackson and Amber Glenn. Check out the current list of qualifying athletes here.
How to Attend
Yes, you can attend the Winter Olympics! If you’re looking to buy tickets for specific events, you can browse ticket selections here. Once you make an account or log in, you’ll be able to purchase tickets, starting at 35 euros (equivalent to about $40 USD). You can also explore hospitality packages, which include ticket-exclusive events with accommodations. Don’t miss your opportunity to grab brunch in the mountains or enjoy a shared suite with incredible views.
Airbnb is also partnering with the Olympics this year, which means you can browse guest favorite homes and areas near the venue to book accommodations within your budget.
Hosting a Watch Party
If you’re hosting a Winter Olympics watch party, there are several items that you need to grab. For starters, it helps to have a high-quality television and soundbar.
Obviously, the snacks and drinks are the second most important element. Serve up a delicious platter of cheese, crackers, fruit and veggies for guests to snack on using a charcuterie board. And if you’d rather keep things simple, DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats are just a click away.
As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with delicious cocktails or mocktails. Grab yourself a bar cart so guests can make their own drinks. Just fill it with wine, champagne, juice, non-alcoholic drinks and a variety of spirits.
FAQs
Which athletes should I watch?
That’s completely up to you! That’s the beauty of getting to watch events like the Winter Olympics! I can’t wait to see athletes like Chloe Kim, Ellie Kam, Laila Edwards and more. It also helps to narrow down your favorite sports and check which athletes are competing.
Where can I stream the event?
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC and Peacock.
What sports should I watch?
A long list of sports are featured in the upcoming Winter Olympics. From figure skating to bobsleighing to ice hockey, view the full competition schedule here.
What to Shop
- Conquer the Ice: If watching figure skaters on the ice makes you want to take up some lessons, grab these Jackson Ultima Classic 200/500 Ice Skates. There are several sizes to choose from for women and children. These are the exact ice skates that I use, and I love how well they fit on my feet and glide across the ice like butter — $110
- Ski Trip Essential: If you’d prefer to start planning your ski trip, you need this OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet. It’s crafted with a shock-absorbing inner shell with built-in ventilation, and it comes in 22 colors — $46
- Hit the Slopes: And you can’t go skiing without goggles. Pick up a pair of these OutdoorMaster OTG Ski Goggles. They provide 100% UV protection and have dual-layer lens technology, which means they’re anti-fog — $22
- Immersive Sound: This Amazon Fire TV Soundbar will come in handy if you’re hosting an Olympics watch party. Featuring Dolby audio and DTS Virtual:X, this speaker produces a clear, immersive sound with a deep bass. It’s perfect for watching the events and listening to the commentators — $100
- Watch the Competition: And if you need a reason to grab a new TV, the Olympics are the perfect excuse! This Amazon Fire TV 43″ 4-Series has 4K visuals, HDR 10+ and fast streaming — $270
- Charcuterie Party: Feeding your guests is essential if you’re hosting. Use this Smirly Charcuterie Board to serve cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies and dips. Along with the board, it comes with four cheese knives, two ceramic bowls and two chalk markers and slate labels — $38
- Learn About the Olympics: Perfect for the kids, grab them this “What Are the Winter Olympics?” book so they can learn all about the winter event, athletes, sports and more — $8
- For the Gamers: For the gamers who love winter sports, you’ll love playing this Nintendo Switch Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands Day One Edition. Explore 12 different ski resorts, slide down huge slopes and race to the finish line — $28
- Shake It Up: This Vasagle Gold Bar Cart will come in handy if you’re playing bartender while hosting. Use it for wine, juice, champagne, glasses and more — $86
- Snowboarding Pro: Chloe Kim has her own clothing line, available at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Grab these waterproof and insulated Roxy Women’s Chloe Kim Pants before hitting the slopes yourself — $245
- Support Women’s Sports and Athletes: Another Chloe Kim pick, Nike has partnered with TOGETHXR, an apparel company founded by Chloe Kim, Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird, to create this “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” T-shirt. It’s available in sizes XXS to 4XL in black and white — $41
- Official Olympics Merch: From hats to posters to jackets, you can buy official 2026 Winter Olympics merch here.
