The 2026 Winter Olympics Countdown Begins in Italy
The anticipation is building as the world prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026. This grand sporting spectacle will feature an impressive lineup of 16 distinct sports, including exciting new additions making their Olympic debut. Athletes from across the globe will vie for a total of 116 coveted gold medals, promising two weeks of intense competition and unforgettable moments.
Official Schedule and Key Dates for Milano Cortina 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics will officially commence on Friday, February 6, 2026, and conclude on Saturday, February 22, 2026. The grand opening ceremony is set to begin at 12:30 AM IST on February 7 (which corresponds to 8:00 PM CET on February 6). While the ceremony marks the official start, the first medal events will kick off a day later.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 4:00 PM IST, the Men's Downhill Alpine Skiing competition will award the first medals of the Games. Here are some other crucial dates for fans to mark on their calendars:
- February 4: Competition begins with curling events.
- February 8: Gold medal event in women’s Alpine skiing downhill.
- February 13: Gold medal event in men’s figure skating.
- February 18: Gold medal event in women’s Alpine skiing slalom.
- February 19: A packed day featuring gold medals in women’s figure skating, the women’s ice hockey gold medal game, and the first-ever Olympic gold medals in the new sport of ski mountaineering.
- February 22: The final day includes the men’s ice hockey gold medal game and the closing ceremony.
A Geographically Diverse Winter Games Across Northern Italy
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be a truly dispersed event, making it the most spread-out Winter Games in history. The primary host cities are Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, which are separated by more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) by road. Additional competition venues are located in Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva.
Interestingly, the closing ceremony will not be held in either primary city. Instead, it will take place in the historic city of Verona, situated approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) east of Milan.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Live in India
For viewers in India, comprehensive live coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games will be available. The official broadcast rights holder is Viacom18. Fans can stream all the action live online via the JioCinema platform. For traditional television viewing, a live telecast will be available on the Sports18 channel.
India's Representation and Key Participant Updates
India will be represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics by two alpine skiers. Arif Mohammad Khan, who was India's sole athlete at the Beijing 2022 Games, will return to the Olympic stage. He will be joined by Aanchal Thakur, who showcased her talent by winning two gold medals at the Khelo India Winter Games 2025.
In terms of participant nations, there are significant geopolitical developments. Russia and Belarus remain banned from team competitions at the 2026 Games due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Major sports federations, including the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), have voted to exclude athletes from these countries from qualification events. This action effectively bars them from participating in the 2026 Olympics, even as neutral individuals in many sports.
Conversely, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Israel is cleared to participate in the 2026 Winter Games, despite some calls for exclusion.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Winter Olympics
As Italy prepares to host the world, the future of the Winter Games is also taking shape. The 2030 Winter Olympic Games have been awarded to the French Alps region, ensuring the continuation of this prestigious global sporting tradition.
