The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony takes place on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The event requires a paid NBC or Peacock subscription in the US, while viewers in other countries, like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland, can watch the opening ceremony for free on public broadcasters such as BBC, CBC Gem, 9Now, and RTÉ Player. With NordVPN, you can access these free live streams from anywhere in the world.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time (CET). For viewers in the US, that’s 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.
For the first time in Winter Olympics history, the ceremony will follow a multi-centered format. While the main show takes place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, satellite events and athlete parades will happen simultaneously in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno.
Titled “Armonia” (Harmony), the ceremony will celebrate Italian culture, history, and values, while looking toward the future. A historic moment awaits as two Olympic cauldrons will be lit simultaneously – one at Milan’s Arco della Pace and another in Cortina’s Piazza Dibona.
The performance lineup blends international and Italian stars, including Mariah Carey, who is rumored to sing in Italian, alongside Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Cecilia Bartoli. The ceremony will also feature performances by actors Sabrina Impacciatore and Pierfrancesco Favino, pianist Lang Lang, and rapper Ghali.
Where to watch 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony live for free
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6 will be free to live stream in multiple countries:
- Australia: 9Now
- Austria: ORF
- Canada: CBC Gem
- United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer
- Ireland: RTÉ Player
- France: France TV
- Germany: ARD
- Italy: RAI
- Spain: RTVE
As you can see from the list, the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be free to stream in many countries. However, in the United States, it’s only available on Peacock, with plans starting at $10.99 per month for Premium or $16.99 per month for Premium Plus, or through a cable subscription that includes NBC.
Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free with NordVPN
For viewers outside the countries offering free streams, a VPN can provide access to the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony at no cost. By connecting to a server in a country where the ceremony is available – such as the UK for BBC iPlayer or Canada for CBC Gem – you can watch the broadcast as if you were local.
The easiest way to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for free from anywhere is by using a VPN like NordVPN. Here’s how:
- Subscribe to a fast, streaming-friendly VPN. For watching the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, we recommend NordVPN, which offers 440+ UK servers, 300+ Canadian servers, and many more in countries streaming the ceremony for free.
- Download the VPN app on your device (NordVPN is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more).
- Connect to a server in a country with free access – for example, the UK for BBC iPlayer or Canada for CBC Gem.
- Visit the broadcaster’s website and start streaming the opening ceremony live for free.
NordVPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you watch the ceremony completely risk-free. Android users can take advantage of a 3-day free trial to start streaming immediately, and if you want to continue, the full 30-day guarantee gives plenty of time to enjoy the Games without paying.
When is the 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina will wrap up with the closing ceremony on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Like the opening ceremony, it will feature a mix of performances, cultural displays, and the official handover to the next Winter Games host city. While the exact schedule and broadcast details are still being finalized, viewers can expect coverage on major networks and streaming platforms, including NBC in the United States. The closing ceremony is the perfect way to celebrate the achievements of athletes and enjoy a final showcase of Italian culture before the Games conclude.
Want to watch the Winter Olympics from anywhere with a VPN? See our full guide to streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics online.
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