At a Glance
- Live coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 6.
- A primetime re-air starts at 8 p.m. ET, featuring a focus on Team USA.
- The ceremony takes place at Milan’s historic San Siro Stadium.
Why it matters: Fans can catch the first moments of the 2026 Games on their preferred platform, whether on cable, streaming, or mobile.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are set to launch with a spectacular opening ceremony. Scheduled for Feb. 6, 2026, the event marks the start of the Games and showcases Italy’s rich sporting culture.
Live Coverage Timing
Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com. Viewers in the United States will see the ceremony in the early afternoon, while European audiences will experience it in the late evening.
A primetime re-air will run from 8 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET, offering an enhanced presentation that highlights Team USA athletes, the parade of nations, and key performances.
How to Watch Without Cable
The ceremony is available for streaming on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app. Authenticated users can stream all coverage directly on NBCOlympics.com and within the NBC Sports app.
Hosts and Coverage Team
- Savannah Guthrie of “TODAY” co-anchors the broadcast; this is her fourth opening ceremony assignment.
- Terry Gannon, an NBC Sports commentator, hosts the ceremony for the first time.
- Shaun White, a Winter Olympic icon, joins the team for his first opening ceremony appearance.
- Mike Tirico contributes remotely from Santa Clara, California, preparing to call Super Bowl LX.
Venue: San Siro Stadium
The ceremony will be held at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, built nearly a century ago. The venue is home to A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, two of Italy’s premier soccer clubs. Organizers plan to celebrate all competition venues during the ceremony.
Ceremony Highlights
The opening ceremony includes traditional elements such as the parade of nations, the raising of the host nation’s flag, and the national anthem. A key moment is the lighting of the Olympic torch, which will culminate in the cauldron’s illumination in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026.
Performers will include Mariah Carey and Italian actress Matilda De Angelis, adding star power to the proceedings.
Torch Relay Overview
The 2026 torch relay began in November, starting in Greece. The torch arrived in Rome in December and will traverse Italy before reaching Milan for the final lighting.
Medal Designs
Organizers unveiled the Olympic and Paralympic medal designs ahead of the Games, adding a new visual identity for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Key Takeaways
- Live coverage starts at 2 p.m. ET; a re-air follows at 8 p.m. ET.
- The ceremony takes place at San Siro Stadium, featuring a parade of nations, torch lighting, and performances by Mariah Carey and Matilda De Angelis.
- Hosts include Savannah Guthrie, Terry Gannon, Shaun White, and Mike Tirico.
- The torch relay began in Greece, passed through Rome, and will culminate in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026.
Fans and viewers have multiple options to watch the opening ceremony, ensuring the 2026 Games reach a wide audience across platforms.
