📅 Ceremony Overview
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially get underway today, Friday, February 6, 2026, with the Opening Ceremony in Milan, Italy, marking the kickoff of 17 days of competition across northern Italy at the Milano-Cortina Games.
This year’s ceremony is historic — staged primarily at the San Siro Stadium in Milan and featuring cultural tributes and world-class performers, including Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and pianist Lang Lang.
🕒 Start Time & Duration
📍 Local Time in Milan (CET):
Ceremony begins approximately 7:00 p.m. CET tonight.
📍 U.S. Viewing Times (Eastern Time):
Live broadcast: 2:00 p.m. ET (live at same moment the event starts in Italy).
The live show is expected to run about three hours.
📺 Primetime Encore:
In the U.S., NBC will re-air an “enhanced” version in primetime at 8:00 p.m. ET for audiences who miss the afternoon live broadcast.
📺 Where & How to Watch — Global Accessibility
🇺🇸 United States
TV: Live on NBC — live afternoon coverage and primetime encore.
Streaming:
Peacock (live stream) – requires a subscription.
NBC app / NBCOlympics.com / NBC Sports app – also streaming with valid TV login.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom & Europe
TNT Sports 2 will broadcast live coverage (with local broadcast start times around 7:00 p.m. GMT / 8:00 p.m. CET).
Discovery+ is streaming many Olympic events, including the ceremony.
🌍 Other Regions
Broadcast rights vary by territory, but most national Olympic broadcasters and major sports networks are providing live coverage and replays.
Check local listings for exact channel and streaming info.
🔴 Live Highlights & What to Expect
Parade of Nations — Traditional entrance of teams from around the world.
Cultural Performances — Italian and international artists meld music and spectacle.
Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron — A symbolic kickoff to the Games.
Additional live commentary and updates are rolling in across major sports outlets — perfect if you’re following live results and on-the-ground reactions.
🧭 Quick Viewing Summary
| Region | Live Time | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Italy / Europe | ~7:00 p.m. CET | Local broadcasters, Discovery+ / TNT Sports |
| U.S. (ET) | 2:00 p.m. ET (live) | NBC, Peacock, NBC apps |
| U.S. (PT) | 11:00 a.m. PT (live) | NBC, Peacock |
| U.S. Primetime | 8:00 p.m. ET (encore) | NBC, Peacock |
Note: Times may vary slightly by region and broadcaster.
