How to Watch the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan

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Cue the trumpets, the 2026 Winter Olympics have arrived.

The Milano Cortina Games will officially begin on Friday, February 6th, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Italy. Over 3,500 athletes will be welcomed with exciting performances and all the traditional celebratory elements.

A three-hour celebration featuring performances by Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Sabrina Impacciatore (from The White Lotus) will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock and the NBC Olympics website and app starting at 2 p.m. Eastern Time / 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

The ceremony will then re-air for U.S. audiences in primetime at 8 p.m. ET.

Savannah Guthrie, who was originally scheduled to host NBC’s Opening Ceremony coverage, has withdrawn due to the search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie. Terry Gannon will now co-host alongside Mary Carillo, and they will be joined by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White.

Shaun expressed his excitement about returning to the Olympics in a new capacity, saying it’s a real honor to be celebrating the athletes and the vibrant atmosphere in Italy. He understands the pressure and excitement of competing on the world stage and is eager to share that experience with viewers at home.

During the Games, athletes such as Lindsey Vonn and Chloe Kim will compete for gold in downhill skiing from the mountains near Cortina. Meanwhile, curler Korey Dropkin and speedskater Jordan Stolz will be competing in ice sports in Milan.

For the first time in Olympic history, the Opening Ceremony will feature two cauldrons lit simultaneously. One will be in Cortina’s Piazza Dibona, and the other in Milan’s Arco della Pace, representing the unity between the two host cities.

Although the first medal ceremony isn’t until February 7th, many of the Olympic sports have already begun. Events like alpine skiing, curling, ski jumping, snowboarding, figure skating, and ice hockey started with preliminary rounds earlier this week.

Before the Opening Ceremony starts at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, get to know some of the amazing athletes on Team USA.

Though Mikaela Shiffrin has already won three Olympic medals, she’s determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She didn’t have the results she wanted at the 2022 Beijing Games, and a serious crash in November 2024 – where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery – set her back. She’s now focused on regaining her top form.

In a December interview with TIME, Shiffrin explained that she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. She knows that even with perfect preparation, a medal isn’t guaranteed. However, she feels strongly supported by her coaches and team, which gives her confidence that they can overcome any challenges together. She believes that’s all she can ask for.

Mikaela Shiffrin has been supported for years by Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and the two are now engaged to be married.

You know, someone very close to me has been a huge support, constantly reminding me that things will be alright. Last season was particularly tough – I really started to doubt if pushing myself to come back was the right thing, if I was trying too hard, too fast, or if it was even realistic. But he helped me remember that I know my own body and limits best. He’d say, ‘You’re giving it your all, and honestly, if it doesn’t work out, that’s perfectly okay too.’ It’s been such a relief to have that perspective.

After struggling with knee injuries throughout her career, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She was a five-time Olympian, earning a gold medal in downhill and a bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Winter Games, and another bronze in downhill at the 2018 Games.

After a successful partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved her pain – something she hadn’t experienced since her initial knee surgery in 2013 – she rediscovered her passion for speed.

As someone who’s experienced a lot in life, I can tell you that while things like board meetings and smart investments are good, they just don’t compare to the thrill of doing what you truly love. I’ve built a wonderful life beyond skiing, and I’m at peace with that. But there’s nothing quite like the rush of downhill, and I know I’ll miss it. That’s why I’m really embracing these last moments of pure adrenaline – once it’s gone, it’s gone!

Vonn’s crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th was serious enough that she needed to be rescued by helicopter, and it almost ended her attempt to return to competition.

Despite tearing her left knee ligament, the experienced athlete announced she’s healthy enough to race in the women’s downhill event on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting the skiing, snowboarding, and sliding competitions for the games, while Milan will host events like skating and curling. She had previously stated she was prepared to risk it all to compete.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared her determination, saying, ‘I won’t let this opportunity pass me by. I’m staying strong and focused, and I’ll give it my all.’

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always inspired by incredible athletes, and Jessie Diggins is definitely one of them! She’s the most decorated cross-country skier the U.S. has ever seen, and this Olympics will be her last. It’s amazing to watch someone pour their heart and soul into a sport, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes!

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post on January 31st, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their beliefs. They dedicated their efforts to those who care for others, protect their communities, and approach people with kindness, stating that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their country. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After she retires, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being at home with her husband.

At just 17, Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing. Though he didn’t medal four years ago, he’s now a strong contender to win gold in multiple events at the Milan Cortina Games – the 500, 1000, and 1500-meter races, plus the mass start race which is 16 laps and 6,400 meters long.

The 21-year-old athlete believes he has a strong chance of winning gold if he performs at his best. Speaking with the Associated Press in January, he said he feels prepared to handle the pressure, explaining, ‘If things go smoothly, I’ll be okay. I’m used to racing under pressure, so it doesn’t bother me much.’

Four years after making history at the Beijing Olympics – becoming the first Black American woman to medal in speed skating and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games – 500-meter champion Erin Jackson is returning to compete in 2026. She’ll have the honor of carrying her country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony on February 6th, alongside bobsledder Frank Del Duca.

It’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally,” said the 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about my family, teammates, hometown, and all Americans who believe in what sports can achieve.”

Although she’s not retiring immediately, Jackson plans to launch an organization dedicated to supporting young Black athletes who aspire to become speed skaters.

She believes seeing someone who shares your background succeed is incredibly important, especially in winter sports like speed skating, where that hasn’t always been the case. She feels a strong sense of responsibility and is proud to be a role model, hoping to inspire others to try the sport and experience its joy. She’s committed to helping others achieve their own success in the sport.

Kim suffered a minor labrum tear in January when she dislocated her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but she wasn’t letting that keep her from competing in her fourth Olympics. There, she’s aiming to win her third gold medal in women’s halfpipe snowboarding.

As a pro athlete, it’s definitely frustrating to be sidelined right before a major competition like the Olympics. I shared in a recent video that I’m disappointed I won’t be able to get back on the snowboard until just before the Games, which will make things tough. Honestly, I haven’t had as much practice time as I’d hoped for, but I’m staying positive and focusing on making the most of the time I do have.

I’m so excited for the 2026 Games! She seems really relaxed about the preparation, telling NBC Olympics that she’s currently training at home and will be going to Europe early next week to get in a few more days of practice before heading to Milan for the competition. She sounds confident and ready for the big day, and honestly, that makes me even more thrilled for what’s to come.

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like,” said Kim, who has been snowboarding since she was a child, “but it feels like everyone becomes their best self out there.

Gerard first won a gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics when he was 17 years old. Now, as a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to achieve the same success at his third Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and healthy. She also expressed how rewarding it is to be a veteran on Team USA, having been involved since age 13, and to be able to mentor the newer athletes with her experience.

Gerard explained how he handles the pressure of the Olympics by reminding himself that it’s still snowboarding, just like any other competition. He acknowledges it’s a much larger event with more attention, but ultimately, the riding itself doesn’t change. He focuses on his own performance, treating it like all the other competitions he’s done throughout his career, and tries to block out the added pressure.

The 31-year-old snowboarder is aiming for gold at this year’s Olympics, hoping to add to his previous silver (2018) and bronze (2022) medals in the halfpipe event.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win a gold medal. He told the Daily Express that he’s entering the competition healthy for the first time, unlike his previous two attempts where he was injured – he broke his collarbone weeks before one games and sprained his ankle before another. He feels more prepared now, being older and incredibly focused.

Beyond his sister Lourdes and his athletic parents – Marcelo, a former soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive runner – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.

What I love most about my dog, Brandy, is that she doesn’t care about accomplishments or recognition. She simply greets me with a wagging tail when I come home, and is always there for me through thick and thin. I truly rely on her companionship.

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, hoping to repeat his gold medal win in slopestyle. He’s come a long way since placing 16th in the same event at the 2018 Games.

The laid-back 27-year-old is hoping to repeat his slopestyle gold medal win – he jokingly mentioned keeping the first one in his sock drawer – and is also aiming for a better result in Big Air, where he finished eighth in 2022. He says getting another gold would be incredible.

In an interview with POWDER magazine in October 2025, Hall expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Olympics to Europe, particularly the prospect of skiing on quality snow amidst impressive mountain scenery – something the last two Olympics lacked. He also shared a personal connection, noting his Italian heritage – his mother is from Bologna, and many family members still live there – and that several of them plan to attend the games, which he anticipates will be a wonderful experience.

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

I’ve always admired how she knows exactly who to go to for help – whether it’s perfecting her training or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage. It’s really inspiring to see her have such a strong support system.

Okay, so my mom, Patti Sherman-Kauf, is a LEGEND. Seriously! She absolutely crushed it on the World Pro Moguls Tour, winning two titles – and she did it while she was pregnant with me! It’s insane! Then my dad, Scott Kauf, took it to another level with five wins! But Patti wasn’t done there – after moguls, she switched to skicross and somehow managed to snag three X Games bronze medals! I mean, come on, how amazing is that?! She’s just… incredible. I’m so proud!

Jaelin wasn’t like most babies when she was born; she preferred being bounced instead of rocked, according to her mother, Patti, in an interview with NBC Olympics.

Jaelin confessed to Teton Gravity Research in November 2025 that she didn’t immediately love mogul skiing. She preferred powder days, but watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was a viable path for herself. She realized she had a unique advantage – growing up with visible role models and strong support for pursuing skiing as a career, something not everyone experiences.

Team Jaelin also includes her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, a two-time Olympic skier who is now retired, and his brother Bryon Wilson, an Olympic bronze medalist who also coaches Kauf.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

The 40-year-old, originally from Calgary, represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success with gold medals in 2010 and 2014, followed by a bronze medal in 2018.

I was absolutely stunned when she announced in 2019 that she was stepping away from the Canadian national team after dedicating 16 years to it. She explained she’d been worried about her safety, saying the atmosphere had become really unhealthy, especially leading up to the 2018 Olympics. It was heartbreaking to hear, and honestly, it made me question a lot about the environment she was in.

In 2019, Humphries began competing for the U.S. team while also maintaining her Canadian citizenship, as she explained to the Associated Press that she wasn’t choosing between the two countries.

She clarified that her affection for Canada hasn’t changed, but she’s capable of loving someone and something new just as deeply. Having lived in the U.S. for four years, she found love – and married an American. Now, life has presented them with new possibilities, and they’re making choices based on their current circumstances.

Elana Humphreys became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and then, in 2022, she won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the first-ever Olympic monobob event – a one-person bobsled competition.

This will be her fifth Olympic Games, and the first since becoming a mother. She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June 2024.

For years, people have said that having a baby means the end of an athlete’s career – that your body will change too much, both physically and mentally, to ever compete at a high level again. As Humphries told The Athletic, that used to be the accepted truth. But now, she and other athletes are showing that you can have a successful career and a family if that’s what you want.

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now a personal escape. Since becoming a mother with her husband, Nic Taylor, to son Nico in 2020 and then to Noah in 2022, she finds time for herself through the sport. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf—a result of a genetic mutation that both parents unknowingly carried until Nico’s birth.

Even though her home life was incredibly busy, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to see what she did at work.

“The challenges they’ll face are beyond what I can imagine,” the 41-year-old explained to The Athletic. “I want them to understand that even when things get hard, you can still chase your goals. I want them to see my successes – me standing with medals – but also to see my struggles, how I overcame setbacks, and kept fighting.”

Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has earned five Olympic medals across four Games – including four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in monobob in 2022 – she’s still aiming to win her first gold medal.

Skeleton racing is undeniably thrilling – it takes real courage to slide headfirst down an icy, winding track at speeds reaching 90 mph.

Ro, who became the first American to win a medal in skeleton at the IBSF World Championships in 12 years (in 2025), initially didn’t believe she’d actually won.

She remembers her first time trying skeleton in 2016 vividly. After being told she was too small for bobsled, her coach gave her a quick start and she was off. “It was so fast, everything blurred, and I couldn’t think,” she told The Athletic. “When I reached the bottom, I was finished – I knew I wasn’t doing that again!”

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is thrilled to be competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

Outside of training and competition, Ro works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. She’s one of many athletes who takes on a second job to make ends meet. Ro is the second oldest of a large family – she has 11 siblings, including a twin sister who was born 14 minutes later.

I’m completely immersed in that environment – I work and train there constantly,” she said. “Tourists really enjoy the tours because they’re led by an athlete who offers a special, insider’s view. It’s a great experience, but the income from tours won’t be enough to fully fund my training and competition.”

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by the backgrounds of high achievers! It’s interesting to learn that Ilia Malinin, the incredible figure skater, actually came from a family of champions – both his parents were Uzbekistani figure skating stars. He started skating at six years old, but honestly? He’d much rather have been outside playing soccer with his friends in Virginia! It just goes to show you never know what passions someone might have, even when they’re destined for greatness in another field.

At age 17, he made history as the first – and so far, only – skater to land a complete quadruple axel during an international competition, achieving this at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic.

As a skating enthusiast, I’ve been watching Ilia Malinin – everyone’s calling him the “Quad God” – and he’s seriously impressive! He’s landed quadruple jumps consistently, and with Nathan Chen taking a break from competition, Ilia is looking like our best bet for another gold medal in men’s singles at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. It’s an exciting time for US figure skating!

Four years after not making Team USA, the 20-year-old is now concentrating on preparing himself to perform well.

I don’t focus on winning medals when I compete,” Ilia Malinin explained on the USA Today podcast, Milan Magic. “I concentrate on giving my best performance and doing what I need to do as a skater. I make sure I’m well-prepared so I can skate to my full potential. If I skate cleanly, I figure the medals will follow.

After competing in the Beijing Olympics and World Championships – where she earned a bronze medal – Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Liu explained to NBC News that she began her rigorous training at age five and continued until she was sixteen. Because she was homeschooled throughout her childhood, and really values social interaction, she felt isolated. For many years, she lived alone, without family or friends nearby, all to dedicate herself to training. She made the decision to retire at seventeen, reflecting on this period of intense focus and personal sacrifice.

She explained that she didn’t have control over her training or even what she wore. She felt like she was simply being used, like a doll dressed up for show. Although she didn’t enjoy it, she felt obligated to compete in the Olympics, believing it was something she needed to do for the sake of her younger self.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive spirit during a January ski trip. By March 2024, she was officially competing again. The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, then went on to win a gold medal at the 2025 World Championships and is now aiming to win a medal—ideally gold—for the U.S. women’s team at the 2026 Games, ending a 20-year drought.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

These partners are competing in their fourth Olympic Games, and it’s their first time competing as a married couple since tying the knot in June 2024.

In December, Chock shared with TopMob News that getting married strengthened their bond and dedication to both each other and their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has allowed them to fully support each other as partners, both on and off the ice, in everything they do.

Although they helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the three-time world champion pair haven’t yet earned an Olympic medal of their own.

We’ve been working incredibly hard and dedicating a lot of time and effort,” Bates shared with TopMob, “but we truly appreciate every day and the chance we’ve been given.

While both the 36-year-old skater and his 33-year-old partner haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they are nearing the end of their competitive careers.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotions of the event and their 15-year partnership. They said their biggest reward would be a strong performance, but they also wanted to savor the moment, recognizing it might be their last competition. They went on to win gold at the championships.

The experienced U.S. women’s hockey player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. At 36 years old, she’ll become the American hockey player—male or female—with the most Olympic appearances.

Although she’d love to win another gold medal, Knight emphasized to Today.com that many of her teammates are Olympic first-timers. She explained that a major focus is ensuring everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. She believes the team has incredible talent, and unlocking that potential will be key to achieving elite-level performance.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, this athlete currently plays for the Seattle Torrent in Washington. However, she and her partner, Brittany Bowe – a veteran speed skater competing in her fourth and final Olympics just before turning 38 on February 24th – have made their home in Salt Lake City.

Speaking to NBC Olympics in June 2025, Knight explained that as elite athletes, they’re both skilled at recognizing what the other person needs – whether it’s encouragement or time to themselves. She believes their long experience at the highest level helps them understand each other well.

Oh my gosh, I’ve been following this mixed doubles curling pair since right after the Beijing Games in 2022, and I’m SO excited they finally made it to the Olympics together! They were so close at the 2025 World Championship, finishing fifth, but I just knew they had what it took. Everyone says it’s their amazing skill and dedication, but honestly, it’s their chemistry! They just click, and it’s so clear to see. It totally helped them win the World Championship in 2023, and I’m predicting big things for them at the Olympics! I’m absolutely obsessed with watching them play!

Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, figure skater Dropkin, 30, explained how well she and her partner, Cory, work together. “We’re good at staying relaxed and focused on the present,” she said. “We also just have really compatible personalities. Someone recently called us ‘the calm and the fire’ – Cory is calm and steady on the ice, while I bring a lot of energy and passion. That combination really works for us.”

He and his wife, Thiesse, who married Sam Thiesse in June 2022, live in Duluth, Minnesota. They both work regular jobs to support their passion for curling.

Dropkin works in real estate, and Thiesse is a lab technician who tests wastewater for mercury. Thiesse told Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job while pursuing her passion for curling, something she and her teammates have dreamed of since childhood.

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2026-02-06 11:21