Feb 04, 2026, 16:06 IST
The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, are set to begin in Northern Italy, bringing the global spotlight back to winter sport. The Games will run from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 22, with athletes from across the world competing in 16 different disciplines spread across multiple Italian venues.Opening Ceremony: Date and TimeThe Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 6, marking the formal start of the Winter Games. For viewers in India, the ceremony will begin at 12:30 AM IST (early hours of February 7), while local time in Italy will be 8:00 PM CET. The ceremony will officially launch more than two weeks of high-profile competition.Although the opening ceremony is scheduled for February 6, sporting action will start earlier. Curling events begin on February 4, while men’s downhill alpine skiing is scheduled for February 7 at 4:00 PM IST.Key Medal Events to WatchSeveral marquee gold medal events are spread across the Games. The women’s alpine skiing downhill will take place on February 8, followed by men’s figure skating on February 13. The spotlight returns to alpine skiing with the women’s slalom on February 18.February 19 will be one of the busiest medal days, featuring the women’s figure skating final, the women’s ice hockey gold medal match, and the first-ever Olympic gold medals in ski mountaineering, a new addition to the programme. The Games will conclude on February 22, with the men’s ice hockey gold medal match followed by the Closing Ceremony.India’s ParticipationIndia will be represented by two athletes at Milano Cortina 2026. Arif Mohammad Khan has qualified in alpine skiing, while Stanzin Lundup will compete in cross-country skiing, continuing India’s presence at the Winter Olympics.Host Cities and VenuesThe Games will be jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with events staged across Northern Italy. Competition venues include Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva, showcasing Italy’s alpine landscape and winter sports infrastructure.Where to Watch Live in India Indian viewers can follow the Winter Olympics live on JioCinema, with televised coverage available on Sports18. Viacom18 is the official broadcaster for the Games in India.Full Sports List at Milano Cortina 2026The 16 disciplines featured at the 2026 Winter Olympics are: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, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.With a multi-city format, new sports, and major medal events lined up, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promise a packed and compelling schedule from start to finish.
