Four years after the Beijing 2022 Games, the world's finest winter athletes are preparing to compete once more. The Winter Olympics 2026 are set to bring high-speed action much closer to home for British fans, with Italy playing host.
When and Where Are the Milan-Cortina Games?
The upcoming Olympic Winter Games will be held in Italy, marking the country's fourth time hosting the Olympics. The spectacle will be split across two primary locations: the cosmopolitan city of Milan and the iconic Alpine resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Milan is slated to host the majority of indoor events, such as ice hockey and figure skating. Meanwhile, the snow-covered peaks around Cortina d'Ampezzo will provide the stage for skiing, luge, and other outdoor sports.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026, with the Games running through to the closing ceremony on February 22. The Paralympic Winter Games will then follow, taking place from March 6 to March 15.
New Sports and Team GB's Medal Hopes
Audiences can expect one brand-new sport on the programme: ski mountaineering ('Skimo'). This demanding discipline involves athletes racing up and down a mountain course, alternating between skiing and carrying their skis while climbing on foot.
Several new events within existing sports will also debut, including women's luge doubles, mixed team skeleton, and women's large hill ski jumping. The full roster of sports for 2026 includes:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboard
- Speed Skating
At the last Winter Games, Great Britain won two medals: one gold and one silver, both in curling. While nations with traditionally snowier climates often dominate the podium, British athletes will be aiming to build on that success and potentially add to the medal haul in 2026.
How to Watch the Winter Olympics in the UK
For viewers in the United Kingdom, coverage of the Winter Olympics 2026 will be shared between the BBC and Warner Bros Discovery. The BBC will offer free-to-air coverage across its TV channels, as well as via BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and mobile app, and the BBC Red Button service. Please note, a valid TV licence is required to watch any live or on-demand BBC content.
Additional live coverage and events will be available through Warner Bros Discovery's streaming service, Discovery+, which requires a subscription. This dual-broadcaster approach ensures fans won't miss a moment of the action from Italy.
The full, detailed schedule of events is available to view and download on the official Olympic Games website.
