The Opening Ceremony officially kicks off the XXV Winter Olympic Games – Milano Cortina 2026 on Friday, February 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.
It’s expected to be a spectacular show celebrating Italian culture and Olympic tradition, with performances from major artists including Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Laura Pausini, and a Parade of Nations featuring athletes from around the world.
🕒 When It Starts
Because of the time difference with Italy (CET):
Live broadcast: ~ 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, Feb. 6
(Check your local time zone conversion — in Ghana (GMT), that’s about 7:00 p.m. GMT.)Primetime encore: ~ 8:00 p.m. ET on the same night for major markets.
The ceremony itself typically runs about three hours, including performances, speeches, and the lighting of the Olympic flame.
📺 TV Broadcast Options
🇺🇸 United States
NBC — Live coverage and primetime replay.
Peacock — Live streaming + replay access, including on phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
NBCOlympics.com / NBC Sports apps — Also stream the live ceremony when you authenticate with a cable or streaming subscription.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
BBC One / BBC Two — Broadcast coverage of the ceremony and ongoing Games.
BBC iPlayer — Online streaming free for UK residents.
🇮🇹 Italy
RAI — Live TV and streaming coverage on Rai channels and the Rai app.
HBO Max (in some regions) — May provide additional streaming options.
🌍 Other Regions
Broadcast rights vary by country — for example:
CBC / Radio-Canada, TSN, RDS in Canada
ARD / ZDF in Germany (free coverage)
Claro Sports across Latin America
Japan Consortium in Japan
📡 Streaming Tips
Peacock Premium (U.S.) — Offers live streaming of NBC’s Olympic coverage for a monthly fee, including mobile and TV apps.
BBC iPlayer (UK) — Free live streams with a UK TV license.
Local Olympic broadcaster apps — Many rights holders offer mobile apps or online portals for streaming each day’s events. Search your local broadcaster’s app or website closer to the date.
📆 Time Zones & Viewing Guide
Because the ceremony takes place in Central European Time (CET):
| Region / Time Zone | Approx. Live Start Time (Feb. 6) |
|---|---|
| GMT (e.g., UK, Ghana) | ~ 7:00 p.m. |
| CET (Italy) | ~ 8:00 p.m. |
| ET (Eastern US) | ~ 2:00 p.m. |
| PT (Pacific US) | ~ 11:00 a.m. |
Always double-check local TV listings or streaming guides as the date approaches, since broadcast times can shift slightly.
📺 Don’t Miss the Highlights
Even if you can’t watch live, most broadcasters will re-air highlight packages and recaps later the same day or the next, especially during primetime blocks.
Many streaming services also let you watch on-demand after the ceremony ends.