Today, Friday, February 6, 2026, the world's focus shifts to Italy as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony officially begins.
This historic ceremony is taking a "multi-centered" approach, with events centered at Milan's San Siro Stadium while simultaneously being celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo. For the first time, two separate Olympic cauldrons will be lit to signal the start of the Games.
Opening Ceremony Schedule & Highlights
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Official Start Time: 8:00 PM local time (CET) / 7:00 PM GMT / 2:00 PM ET.
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Star-Studded Performances: The show features global icons including Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Ghali.
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Main Venue: San Siro Stadium, the iconic home of Italian football, transformed into a global stage for approximately 2 billion viewers.
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The Parade of Nations: Athletes from around the world will march into the stadium, led for Team USA by flagbearers Erin Jackson and Frank Del Duca.
How to Watch & Stream (Western Audience)
Most major Western countries offer free-to-air options for the Opening Ceremony, though comprehensive coverage of every event usually requires a subscription.
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United States: Watch live on NBC or stream every single event on Peacock ($11.99/mo). A special primetime presentation will air at 8:00 PM ET.
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United Kingdom: Free live coverage on BBC One/Two and BBC iPlayer. For full, uninterrupted access to all 116 events, Discovery+ (starting at ÂŁ3.99/mo) is the primary hub.
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Canada: Complete coverage is available for free via CBC and the CBC Gem app.
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Australia: Free-to-air highlights and select live events are on 9Now, while Stan Sport offers comprehensive, ad-free coverage.
Essential Visitor & Fan Links
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Official Milano Cortina 2026 Spectator Guide: Spectator Overview & Venues
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Live Event Schedule: Full 116-Event Competition Schedule
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Official Ticketing & Fan App: Milano Cortina 2026 App (iOS/Android)
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Fan Zone Information: Off-Venue Experience & Fan Villages
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International Streaming Guide: How to Watch from Anywhere (VPN & Global Broadcasters)
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