Historic Milan-Cortina Games Begin With Opening Ceremony Tonight
The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially underway, with the opening ceremony set for 1:40 p.m. ET today at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy. The games mark a historic moment as Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo become the first two cities to officially co-host the Olympic Games, bringing together ice sports and alpine competition across Italy’s Lombardy and Northeast regions.
Fans can watch the opening ceremony live on NBC and related streaming platforms. The event kicks off what promises to be an electrifying fortnight of winter olympic sports, from figure skating and ice hockey to alpine skiing and bobsleigh.
Where the 2026 Winter Olympics Take Place
Milan will primarily host ice events, including figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey, while Cortina and surrounding valleys in the Valtellina and Fiemme regions will feature alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and sliding sports. This dual-city arrangement showcases iconic Italian venues: Milan’s San Siro Stadium serves as the symbolic heart of the ceremony, while Cortina’s mountainous landscape provides the backdrop for alpine events.
Cortina d’Ampezzo made history by becoming the third city to host the Winter Olympics twice—previously hosting in 1956. The arrangement reflects Italy’s fourth time hosting an Olympic Games overall.
What to Expect From the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will feature world-class performances and the traditional lighting of the Olympic rings. Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli is among the performers set to grace the stage, bringing international prestige to the celebration of winter olympic sports and Italian culture.
Competition Already Underway
While the opening ceremony represents the official start, competition began on February 4 with qualifying rounds in figure skating and other sports. Athletes from around the world are competing for medals across dozens of winter olympic sports through February 22.
For US viewers wondering what channel is the olympics on, NBC provides comprehensive coverage across television and streaming platforms. The opening ceremony at 1:40 p.m. ET today will set the tone for the games ahead, with events continuing throughout the fortnight at venues across Milan and Cortina.
