The Winter Olympics start today. Here’s what to expect.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games officially begin today, bringing the world’s top winter athletes together for more than two weeks of competition across northern Italy. Events will be held primarily in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with additional venues spread throughout the Italian Alps. It is the first time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics since 2006 and the third time overall.

The Games will run from February 6 through February 22. Because Italy is six hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast, many events will take place early in the morning for American viewers, with prime time rebroadcasts later in the day.

Athletes will compete in 16 sports and more than 100 medal events. Traditional Olympic competitions will return, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, short track speed skating, curling, bobsled, luge, skeleton, cross country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, freestyle skiing, and Nordic combined.

A major addition to this year’s program is ski mountaineering, which will make its Olympic debut. The sport combines uphill climbing with downhill skiing and is expected to add a new endurance focused challenge to the Games. Organizers have also emphasized sustainability by relying heavily on existing venues and limiting new construction.

Several countries are expected to contend for the top of the medal standings. Norway, Germany, Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are among the traditional winter sports powers projected to perform well. The United States is expected to be competitive in alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle events, while European nations are favored in Nordic skiing, biathlon, and sliding sports. Figure skating and speed skating are expected to draw some of the largest global audiences.

Geopolitical tensions are once again part of the Olympic backdrop. Athletes from Russia and Belarus are not competing under their national flags due to sanctions connected to the war in Ukraine. Some athletes from those countries are permitted to compete as neutral individuals without national symbols or anthems. Security officials have also warned of potential cyber threats and disinformation efforts aimed at the Games, reflecting broader international tensions.

The Opening Ceremony today formally begins the competition and will include the parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The first week will feature early medal events in figure skating, speed skating, and skiing disciplines, followed by high profile finals later in the Games, including alpine skiing championships and ice hockey medal rounds.

Must-watch events this year:

Friday, Feb. 6

Opening Ceremony

Saturday, Feb. 7

Men’s alpine skiing downhill

Sunday, Feb. 8

Women’s alpine skiing downhill

Monday, Feb. 9

Figure skating team event final

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Men’s speed skating 1500 meters

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Women’s freestyle skiing moguls final

Thursday, Feb. 12

Men’s snowboard halfpipe final

Friday, Feb. 13

Women’s figure skating short program

Saturday, Feb. 14

Men’s alpine skiing slalom

Sunday, Feb. 15

Women’s snowboard halfpipe final

Monday, Feb. 16

Men’s figure skating short program

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Women’s alpine skiing giant slalom

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Men’s ice hockey semifinal

Thursday, Feb. 19

Women’s figure skating free skate final

Friday, Feb. 20

Men’s ice hockey gold medal game

Saturday, Feb. 21

Mixed team ski jumping final

Sunday, Feb. 22

Closing Ceremony