The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are less than a month away,
When do the 2026 Winter Olympic games start? Winter Olympics location
The Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy from Feb. 6 through Feb. 22.
What are the sports in the Winter Olympics?
There are several classic sports played at the Winter Olympics as well as newer sports and disciplines.
Alpine skiing – Athletes race downhill on steep, snow-covered courses.
Bobsleigh – Teams race down an icy track in a sled.
Curling – Teams slide stones across ice toward a target.
Figure skating – Skaters perform choreographed routines on ice, combining jumps, spins, tricks and artistry.
Freestyle skiing – Skiers perform jumps, tricks, and turns in different events.
Ice hockey – Team sport where players skate and use sticks to score goals.
Skeleton – Athletes race headfirst on a sled while lying face down at high speed.
Luge – Same as skeleton, but in luge athletes lie on their backs.
Ski jumping – Skiers launch off a ramp and aim for long, jumps with smooth landings.
Cross-country skiing – Skiers race over long distances across varied terrain.
Nordic combined – A two-part event combining ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
Biathlon – A combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting
Short track speed skating – Skaters race on a short oval track.
Ski mountaineering – Athletes climb and descend mountains on skis. This a new sport added to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Snowboard – Riders compete in events featuring jumps, tricks, and races.
Speed skating – Skaters race on a long oval track.
How to watch the Winter Olympics?
NBC will broadcast the sporting event on its channels and apps. Peacock will also stream the games.
Viewers can also watch the games on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Olympics app.
Who’s performing at the Olympics opening ceremony?
R&B singer Mariah Carey, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, and Italian singer Laura Pausini will perform during the opening ceremony, under the theme of “Harmony.”
The event will air live at noon ET on Friday, Feb. 6. It will be re-aired at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA Today Network. Follow him on X: @_JCCastillo.