After all the talk, it’s almost time to act. The 25th edition of the Winter Olympic Games officially begins on February 6, when the opening ceremony raises the curtain on the games.
The main ceremony will take place at the San Siro stadium, home of Italian football giants Inter and AC Milan. As is tradition, the Olympic cauldron will be lit to mark the start of the Winter Olympic Games, while we will also be able to see the participating athletes for the first time.
For the first time, the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort will host its own secondary ceremony at the same time as the main event in Milan.
Legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will be part of the San Siro show, with Mariah Carey and Laura Pausini among the rest of the performers. The ceremony will be directed by creative director Marco Balic and several heads of state and political leaders will be present.
Here’s where to watch the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony live streams online from anywhere and potentially FREE.
Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony for FREE
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics is available to stream for free in the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer
🇨🇦 Canada: CBC Gem
🇦🇺 Australia: 9Now
🇮🇪 Ireland: RTÉ Player
Do you live in the United States? All coverage provided by NBC, USA Network and CNBC is available for free thanks to the 21-day trial to youtube television. Of course, that will include the opening ceremony.
What happens if you are abroad? Stream the opening ceremony from anywhere in the world using Norton VPN.
How to Watch Any Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Stream Using a VPN
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the US
In the US, the opening ceremony is available on NBC and Peacock.
You need at least a Peacock Premium subscription to access, with Peacock pricing starting at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.
NBC is available through Sling TV and YouTube TV.
Out of the United States this Friday? Wear Norton VPN to access coverage of the Winter Olympic Games.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in the UK
In the UK, coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony is shared between the BBC and Discovery+.
BBC Two will broadcast the opening ceremony, with live streaming available via BBC iPlayer. Don’t forget that you will need a UK postcode for a BBC iPlayer account (e.g. SE1 7PB).
Discovery+ plans start at £3.99/month.
Traveling outside the UK this Friday? Use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer or Discovery+ from abroad while you’re away from home.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Canada
In Canada, CBC will broadcast the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
It will air on several channels including CBC, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, Sportsnet and TSN. The CBC Gem streaming platform is your best port of call.
If you are not in Canada to attend Milano Cortina, simply use a VPN to tune in from abroad.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Australia
In Australia, the Winter Olympics opening ceremony is broadcast on 9Now and Stan Sport. Start time is Saturday at 6am AEDT.
9Now It is the home of Milano Cortina’s free coverage and is our recommendation.
Far from Australia today? Use a VPN to watch 9Now or Stan Sport from abroad.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport reviews will show the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.
You can access Sky Sport via satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service, from $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Do you miss Milano Cortina because of work commitments abroad? Norton VPN will unlock access to your home streaming service.
2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony FAQ
What is the schedule for the Winter Olympic Games?
Friday February 6
– OPENING CEREMONY
Saturday February 7
– Alpine skiing (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (event with 1 medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing
– ice hockey
– sleigh
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
– Snowboard (1 event with medal)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Sunday February 8
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Luge (event with 1 medal)
– Snowboarding (2 medal events)
– Speed skating (event with 1 medal)
Monday February 9
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– sleigh
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
– Snowboard (1 event with medal)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Tuesday February 10
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (2 events with medals)
– Curling (event with 1 medal)
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– sleigh
– Short track speed skating (1 medal event)
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
Wednesday February 11
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating (1 event with medal)
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Luge (2 medal events)
– Nordic combined (1 event with medal)
– snowboard
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Thursday February 12
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Luge (event with 1 medal)
– Short track speed skating (2 events with medals)
– Skeleton
– Snowboarding (2 medal events)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Friday February 13
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Skeleton (1-medal event)
– Snowboarding (2 medal events)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Saturday February 14
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Short track speed skating (1 medal event)
– Skeleton (1-medal event)
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Sunday February 15
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Bobsleigh
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Skeleton (1-medal event)
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
– Snowboard (1 event with medal)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Monday February 16
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Bobsleigh (event with 1 medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating (1 event with medal)
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Short track speed skating (1 medal event)
– Ski jumping (1 event with medal)
– snowboard
Tuesday February 17
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Bobsleigh (event with 1 medal)
– Curly
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Nordic combined (1 event with medal)
– Snowboarding (2 medal events)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Wednesday February 18
– Alpine skiing (1 event with medal)
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (2 events with medals)
– Curly
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– ice hockey
– Short track speed skating (2 events with medals)
– Snowboard (1 event with medal)
Thursday February 19
– Curly
– Figure skating (1 event with medal)
– Freestyle skiing (1 event with medal)
– Ice hockey (1 event per medal)
– Nordic combined (1 event with medal)
– Mountain skiing (2 medal events)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Friday February 20
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Bobsleigh
– Curly
– Freestyle skiing (2 medal events)
– ice hockey
– Short track speed skating (2 events with medals)
– Speed skating (1 event with medal)
Saturday February 21
– Biathlon (event with 1 medal)
– Bobsleigh (event with 1 medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 event with medal)
– Curling (event with 1 medal)
– Freestyle skiing (3 medal events)
– ice hockey
– Mountain skiing (1 event with medal)
– Speed skating (2 medal events)
Sunday February 22
– CLOSING CEREMONY
– Bobsleigh (1 final medal)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey (1 medal final)
Can I watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or through the browser on your phone.
You can also stay up to date with all things Autumn Nations on the official social media channels at X (@MilanoCortina2026), YouTube (@Olympics) and Instagram (@milanocortina2026).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
