The wait is finally over. The Winter Olympics have returned to one of their spiritual homes in Europe, bringing a touch of La Dolce Vita to the world of elite winter sports. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are set to kick off with a spectacle that promises to be as stylish as it is historic.
For the first time in Olympic history, the Games are officially hosted by two separate entities: the bustling fashion capital of Milan and the stunning alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. While the events will be spread across Northern Italy, the eyes of the world will turn to the legendary San Siro Stadium in Milan for the Opening Ceremony. With a theme of “Armonia” (Harmony) and rumored performances by global icons like Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey, this is not a broadcast you want to miss.
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However, navigating the fractured landscape of international broadcasting rights can be an Olympic sport in itself. Whether you are cord-cutting in California, streaming in Sydney, or watching terrestrial TV in London, this guide breaks down exactly how to watch the Opening Ceremony live on Friday, February 6, 2026.
The Critical Details: When to Tune In
Before diving into the specific broadcasters, you need to mark your calendar. The Opening Ceremony takes place in the evening local time in Italy (CET). Because of the time differences, viewers in the Southern Hemisphere will be waking up early on Saturday morning to catch the action.
Event: The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Venue: San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026 (Americas/Europe) / Saturday, February 7, 2026 (Oceania)
WATCH: 2026 Winter Olympics Live From Anywhere
Global Kick-Off Times
| Region | City | Time | Date |
| Italy (Local) | Milan | 8:00 PM CET | Fri, Feb 6 |
| USA/Canada (East) | New York / Toronto | 2:00 PM ET | Fri, Feb 6 |
| USA/Canada (West) | LA / Vancouver | 11:00 AM PT | Fri, Feb 6 |
| United Kingdom | London | 7:00 PM GMT | Fri, Feb 6 |
| Australia | Sydney / Melbourne | 6:00 AM AEDT | Sat, Feb 7 |
| New Zealand | Auckland | 8:00 AM NZDT | Sat, Feb 7 |
In the United States NBC and Peacock
In the United States, NBCUniversal remains the undisputed home of the Olympics. For the 2026 Games, they are continuing their “mega-cast” strategy, ensuring that viewers can watch on traditional cable or via streaming.
The Streaming Option: Peacock
For the true cord-cutter, Peacock is your primary destination. Unlike past Olympics where coverage was fragmented, NBC has streamlined the process: Every single event, including the Opening Ceremony, streams live on Peacock.
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Service: Peacock Premium.
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Features: NBC usually offers a “World Feed” (no commentary) and a fully produced US broadcast with commentary from hosts like Mike Tirico. You also get access to the “Gold Zone” style whip-around shows, though for the Opening Ceremony, you’ll want the main feed.
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Cost: You will need a subscription (typically starting around $7.99/month). There is no free tier for Olympic live content.
The Cable Option: NBC & USA Network
If you prefer the traditional TV experience, the Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live on the main NBC channel.
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Prime Time Replay: It is important to note that because the event happens at 2:00 PM ET (a workday for many), NBC will likely air a highly produced, edited replay during Primetime (usually 8:00 PM ET/PT). If you want the raw, live experience, you must tune in during the afternoon or use the NBC Sports App with your cable login.
- WATCH: 2026 Winter Olympics Live From Anywhere
How to watch cortina opening ceremony in Canada
Canadians enjoy one of the most accessible Olympic viewing experiences in the world, thanks to the public mandate of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Free Streaming: CBC Gem
Canada is one of the few territories where you can legally stream the Olympics for free without a cable subscription.
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Platform: CBC Gem (Website and App).
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Cost: Free (Advert-supported). You can upgrade to CBC Gem Premium (approx. $5.99 CAD/month) to remove ads from on-demand content, but the live stream of the ceremony is generally free for all residents.
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Coverage: CBC’s coverage is renowned for its high production value and focus on Canadian athletes. The stream is reliable and high-definition.
Cable TV: CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet
While CBC is the primary rights holder, they sub-license coverage to TSN and Sportsnet to ensure concurrent events are covered. However, the Opening Ceremony will always be on the main CBC Television network.
WATCH: 2026 Winter Olympics Live From Anywhere
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French Language: For Francophone viewers, coverage is available on ICI Radio-Canada Télé.
Pro Tip: Download the CBC Sports app. It is often faster to load than the browser version and allows you to set alerts for when the Canadian team is about to march into San Siro.
United Kingdom: BBC and Discovery+
The UK landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. While the BBC is the traditional home of the Games, Warner Bros. Discovery (owners of Eurosport) now holds the primary pan-European rights.
The Free Option: BBC iPlayer & BBC One
The BBC is restricted by its licensing deal to showing only two simultaneous live streams. However, the Opening Ceremony is a protected “crown jewel” event, meaning it will be broadcast live and in full on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Cost: Free (requires a valid TV Licence).
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Experience: Expect the classic British commentary team. It is sentimental, thorough, and completely free of commercial breaks.
WATCH: 2026 Winter Olympics Live From Anywhere
The Comprehensive Option: Discovery+
If you want every camera angle or 4K HDR options, you need Discovery+.
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Service: Discovery+ (Standard Plan includes Sport).
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Cost: Approximately £6.99/month (prices subject to change).
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Why pay? While the BBC covers the main feed, Discovery+ often provides an uninterrupted “ambient” feed without commentary if you prefer to just soak in the atmosphere of the stadium sounds.
How to watch Italy Olympics Opening Ceremony From Australia
The broadcast rights for the Olympics in Australia have moved to the Nine Network. They are offering a tiered approach: a robust free option and a premium, high-tech paid option.
Free-to-Air: Channel 9 and 9Now
Nine will broadcast the Opening Ceremony live on its primary channel (Channel 9) and stream it simulcast on 9Now.
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Time: 6:00 AM AEDT, Saturday, Feb 7.
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Cost: Free (Requires a free 9Now account).
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The Catch: As a commercial broadcaster, Nine’s free coverage will include advertisements.
The Premium Experience: Stan Sport
For the ultimate experience, Nine’s subscription arm, Stan Sport, is the place to be.
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Service: Stan (Base Subscription) + Stan Sport (Add-on).
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Cost: Base plans start around $12 AUD, plus the $15 AUD Sport add-on.
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Why pay? 4K Ultra HD. Stan Sport is the only place in Australia to watch the ceremony in 4K. It is also ad-free live, meaning you won’t cut away to a commercial break right as the Italian flag is being raised.
New Zealand: Sky Sport and Sky Open
In New Zealand, Sky Network Television holds the exclusive rights. They have promised extensive coverage across both paid and free platforms.
The Paid Option: Sky Sport & Sky Sport Now
For the dedicated fan who wants guaranteed live access, Sky Sport is the primary broadcaster.
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Streaming: Sky Sport Now (The standalone streaming app).
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Cost: You can purchase a Week Pass (approx. $29.99 NZD) or a Month Pass ($49.99 NZD).
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Features: Sky Sport creates dedicated Olympic pop-up channels (Sky Sport Gold) for the duration of the games.
The Free Option: Sky Open
Sky has rebranded its free-to-air channel (formerly Prime) to Sky Open.
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Coverage: Sky Open generally broadcasts the Opening Ceremony live, as it is a major cultural event.
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Streaming: You can stream Sky Open via the Sky Go app or potentially through the ThreeNow app/website if cross-platform partnerships are in place (check local listings closer to the date).
Pro Tip: The broadcast starts at 8:00 AM NZDT on Saturday morning. This is perfect “breakfast TV” timing. Grab a coffee and enjoy the show live without having to ruin your sleep schedule!
A Note for Expats and Travelers (VPNs)
If you are a US citizen traveling in London, or an Aussie stuck in Canada during the Games, you may find yourself geoblocked from your home streaming service.
While broadcasters implement strict geo-restrictions, many travelers use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the subscriptions they legally pay for back home.
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Connect to a server in your home country (e.g., connect to a New York server to access Peacock).
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Log in to your streaming service.
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Stream the ceremony as if you were on your couch at home.
Note: Always check the terms of service of your streaming provider regarding VPN usage.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Opening Ceremony is set to be a fascinating blend of urban style and alpine tradition. Whether you are watching the ad-free 4K stream on Stan Sport, the polished production of NBC, or the public service reliability of the BBC and CBC, the options are plentiful.
Make sure your subscriptions are active, your apps are updated, and your snacks are ready. The flame is about to be lit in Milan.
