How to watch 2026 Winter Olympics online for FREE: live stream from anywhere

A general view of the Olympic rings in front of the Olympia delle Tofane ski run during Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games - 1 Year To Go event on February 06, 2025 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

(Image credit: Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

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Schedule and medal finals
Winter Olympics 2026 FAQs

Dust off the skis, tie on the skates and feel the rhythm of the bobsleigh — we're just days away from the 2026 Winter Olympics dominates sports headlines from February 6, with the world's elite athletes heading to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo to seek gold. Keep reading to discover how to watch 2026 Winter Olympics live streams from anywhere with a VPN and for free!

Winter Olympics 2026 live streams: TV channels, dates

Winter Olympics 2026 live streams take place from February 6-22
• FREE live streams — BBC iPlayer (U.K.) / CBC Gem (Can) / 9Now (Aus)
• Watch anywhere — try Norton VPN 100% risk free

From there follows two weeks and two days of action from the slopes, runs and rinks. Among the biggest narratives heading into Italy is the fact that NHL hockey players will return to the Olympics for the first time since Sochi 2014. Talking of comebacks, 41-year-old downhill skier Lindsey Vonn is hoping and praying that her devastating crash on the slopes last week won't prevent her from completing a riveting comeback arc. While ski mountaineering (a.k.a. skimo) will make its debut at the games.

With Milano Cortina 2026 beginning with curling prelims on Wednesday, we have all the information you need to watch Winter Olympics 2026 action — including details on international TV channels, free live streams and a full schedule of events.

Watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams for FREE

Great news! There are plenty of ways to watch free coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in different parts of the world.

The U.K. (BBC iPlayer), Canada (CBC Gem) and Australia (9Now) all have live coverage online, which you can access through the platforms' free-to-air websites and apps.

And in the U.S. you can get all of the coverage provided by NBC, USA Network and CNBC for free thanks to the 21-day trial to YouTube TV.

Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to watch Winter Olympics 2026 for free. We’ll show you how to do that below.

What's happening today at Winter Olympics 2026?

Thursday, February 5

Still with a day to go before the opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the curling heats continue after starting yesterday. Snowboarding and ice hockey events start today, too, with women's teams from the USA and Canada playing group matches in the latter.

Curling from 4:05 a.m. ET / 9:05 a.m. GMT
Ice hockey from 6:10 a.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. GMT
Snowboarding from 1:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. GMT

Watch Winter Olympics 2026 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the action on your usual subscription?

You can still watch Winter Olympics 2026 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Norton VPN is one of the best you can get — we explain why in our Norton VPN Review.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Norton VPN is a great choice.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a Canadian service, you'd select Canada from the server list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to CBC Gem or another streaming service and watch Winter Olympics 2026.

How to watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams in the U.S.

NBCUniversal has all your Winter Olympics 2026 watching needs covered in the U.S. TV coverage of the biggest events will be hosted across its numerous channels, including NBC, USA Network and CNBC.

To watch every second of the Winter Olympics, however, you'll need access to its online Peacock streaming service. As well as showing every event live, it will have the daily "Gold Zone" recap show (also on NBCSN).

To stream Winter Olympics on Peacock you'll need at least a Premium subscription (from $10.99/month or 109.99/year).

Alternatively, cord-cutters can opt for a service like Sling TV. The Sling Blue package costs from $45.99/month and gives you access to more than 30 channels including NBC (select markets) and USA.

YouTube TV is a more comprehensive option, offering all three NBC channels on its Base Plan. It costs from $82.99/month (with a $15 discount on each of your first five months), after you've given it a try with its 21-day FREE trial.

If you're outside the U.S. but have one of these subscriptions, you can watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams using a VPN such as Norton VPN.

How to watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams in the U.K.

British flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Many events of the Winter Olympics 2026 will be free to watch on the BBC and BBC iPlayer, meaning absolutely FREE coverage in the U.K. of the biggest events.

The BBC won’t have everything, however. If you don’t want to miss a single second of the action you will need access to Discovery Plus. Its standard Entertainment plan costs £3.99/month, or combine it with a full TNT Sports package for £33.99/month.

If you're a Brit abroad, you can still follow Winter Olympics 2026 live streams thanks to Norton VPN.

How to watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams in Canada

Canadian flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Winter Olympics 2026 coverage in Canada is carried by CBC on TV, with more than 2,000 hours of content to be live streamed for FREE online on the CBC Gem streaming platform. All you need to do is register for a free account to watch.

If you’re currently away from Canada, you can use a VPN such as Norton VPN to make your device believe it's back home in Canada.

How to watch Winter Olympics 2026 live streams in Australia

Australia flag — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Aussies can watch the biggest Winter Olympics 2026 action for free across the 9Network and its 9Now streaming site and app.

For the most comprehensive coverage, you'll need Stan Sport. It's offering streams of every sport and medal moment. It costs from AU$32/month, with 4K UHD action available for an extra $10.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like Norton VPN to watch all the action on 9Now as if you were back home.

Winter Olympics 2026 schedule and medal finals

Fredrik Moeller of Team Norway skis during the Men's Downhill training on day minus two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre on February 04, 2026 in Bormio, Italy. — (Image credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Wednesday, February 4
– Curling

Thursday, February 5
– Curling
– Ice hockey
– Snowboarding

Friday, February 6
– OPENING CEREMONY
– Curling
– Figure skating
– Ice hockey

Click to see full Winter Olympics 2026 schedule▼

Saturday, February 7
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing
– Ice hockey
– Luge
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (1 medal final)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Sunday, February 8
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Luge (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Monday, February 9
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Luge
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (1 medal final)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Tuesday, February 10
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (2 medal finals)
– Curling (1 medal final)
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Luge
– Short-track speed skating (1 medal final)
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)

Wednesday, February 11
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating (1 medal final)
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Luge (2 medal finals)
– Nordic combined (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Thursday, February 12
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Luge (1 medal final)
– Short-track speed skating (2 medal finals)
– Skeleton
– Snowboarding (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Friday, February 13
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Skeleton (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Saturday, February 14
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Short-track speed skating (1 medal final)
– Skeleton (1 medal final)
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Sunday, February 15
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Bobsleigh
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Skeleton (1 medal final)
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (1 medal final)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Monday, February 16
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Bobsleigh (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating (1 medal final)
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Short-track speed skating (1 medal final)
– Ski jumping (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding

Tuesday, February 17
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Bobsleigh (1 medal final)
– Curling
– Figure skating
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Nordic combined (1 medal final)
– Snowboarding (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Wednesday, February 18
– Alpine skiing (1 medal final)
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (2 medal finals)
– Curling
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey
– Short-track speed skating (2 medal finals)
– Snowboarding (1 medal final)

Thursday, February 19
– Curling
– Figure skating (1 medal final)
– Freestyle skiing (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey (1 medal final)
– Nordic combined (1 medal final)
– Ski mountaineering (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Friday, February 20
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Bobsleigh
– Curling
– Freestyle skiing (2 medal finals)
– Ice hockey
– Short-track speed skating (2 medal finals)
– Speed skating (1 medal final)

Saturday, February 21
– Biathlon (1 medal final)
– Bobsleigh (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling (1 medal final)
– Freestyle skiing (3 medal finals)
– Ice hockey
– Ski mountaineering (1 medal final)
– Speed skating (2 medal finals)

Sunday, February 22
– CLOSING CEREMONY
– Bobsleigh (1 medal final)
– Cross-country skiing (1 medal final)
– Curling (1 medal final)
– Ice hockey (1 medal final)

Winter Olympics 2026 FAQs

When exactly will the 2026 Winter Olympics start?

Although the official start date of the 2026 Winter Olympics is Friday, February 6 — which is when the Opening Ceremony takes place — events actually start a couple of days before on Wednesday, February 4 with matchups in the curling mixed doubles round robin.

Who is hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are the official host cities of the 25th Winter Olympics, which is why it is commonly being called the "Milano Cortina 2026" games.

2026 is the third time that the Winter Olympics are taking place in Italy and first since the Turin games 20 years ago.

Who will host the 2030 Winter Olympics?

Next time, the Winter Olympics moves back to France for the first time since 1992. The French Alps is the official host destination of the 26th games.

What are the new events in the Winter Olympics 2026?

There are several new additions to the events schedule for Milano Cortina 2026. Ski mountaineering — shortened to 'skimo' — is entirely new to the Winter Olympics, combining uphill mountain climbing and downhill skiing.

Outside of that, there will be new medals handed out in alpine skiing (team combined), freestyle skiing (men's and women's dual moguls) luge (women's doubles), ski jumping (women's large hill) and skeleton (mixed team relay).

What countries are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Just like in 2022, Belarus and Russia will not be allowed to enter teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Athletes from those two countries will instead participate under the Individual Neutral Athlete banner.

What country won the most medals in the 2022 Winter Olympics?

Norway was the most successful country at the 2022 Winter Olympics that took place in Beijing, China, winning 37 medals (16 gold, 8 silver, 13 bronze).

The next most of total medals went to the Russian Olympic Committee, with 32 (5 gold, 12 silver, 15 bronze) while Germany won the second most gold medals with 12.

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Adam was the Content Director of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversaw many of the articles the publisher produces about antivirus software, VPN, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews. Adam can still be seen dusting his keyboard off to write articles for the likes of TechRadar, T3 and Tom's Guide, having started his career at consumer champions Which?.

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