- How to watch the Winter Olympics 2026 for free with a VPN?
- Free vs paid streaming services for the Winter Olympics in 2026
- Why use a VPN to watch the Winter Olympics online?
- How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere for free?
- Best VPNs for the 2026 Winter Olympics
- 2026 Winter Olympics competition schedule
- Final thoughts
- FAQ
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere using NordVPN. Simply connect to servers in the UK, Canada, Australia, or Ireland to access BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, 9Now, and RTÉ Player and enjoy all live events without restrictions.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina will take place from February 6 to February 22, bringing the world’s greatest athletes to northern Italy. Fans can watch top competitors battle it out in alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, snowboarding, biathlon, and speed skating, along with the sport’s Olympic debut: ski mountaineering. This new sport introduces five medal events, including sprint and individual races for both men and women, as well as a mixed-gender relay. The Games also stand out for their unique multi-city format, with events spread across iconic alpine resorts and major cities, making this one of the most anticipated Winter Olympics yet.
The Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast worldwide across a mix of free and paid streaming platforms, depending on your location. Some countries offer full coverage at no cost, while others require subscriptions or a cable TV login. In this guide, I’ll break down where to watch the Winter Olympics in 2026 and highlight the best free viewing options.
How to watch the Winter Olympics 2026 for free with a VPN?
- Get a reliable streaming VPN. My top choice is NordVPN, now available at 75% off!
- Download and install the VPN app on your device
- Connect to a server in a location with free access. For example, use the UK for BBC iPlayer or Canada for CBC Gem.
- Visit a free broadcaster’s website or app, such as BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, 9Now, or RTÉ Player
- Watch the Winter Olympics live for free from anywhere!
Free vs paid streaming services for the Winter Olympics in 2026
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free on several official platforms. In the UK, for example, the BBC and BBC iPlayer will show live and on-demand sports games at no cost. To access these, you need to live in the UK and have a valid TV license.
In Canada, CBC Gem will show the Milano-Cortina games with over 2,000 hours of coverage. Similarly, in Australia, 9Now will broadcast live sports for free, while in Ireland, RTÉ and RTÉ Player will also offer free coverage of the main events.
If you are in the US, you can use the 21-day free trial of YouTube TV to watch all Winter Olympics games from NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. This lets you watch live games, highlights, and replays for free, making it a simple option for US viewers.
Below, you’ll see the best streaming sites for the Winter Olympics in 2026:
| Winter Olympic streaming site | Free | Paid |
| BBC iPlayer (UK) | ✅Yes | ❌No, requires a TV license |
| Discovery+ (UK) | ✅Yes, 7-day free trial | ✅Yes, from￡3.99/month |
| CBC Gem (Canada) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| 9Now (Australia) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Stan Sport (Australia) | ❌No | ✅Yes, from $12 AUD/month |
| RTÉ Player (Ireland) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Peacock (US) | ✅Yes, 7-day free trial | ✅Yes, from $10.99/month |
| YouTube TV (USA) | ✅Yes, 21-day free trial | ❌No |
| RTVE (Spain) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Discovery+ (Italy) | ✅Yes, 7-day free trial | ✅Yes, from €7.99/month |
| RAI (Italy) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| ARD / ZDF (Germany) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| France.tv (France) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| ORF (Austria) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| RTBF and VRT (Belgium) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| DR (Denmark) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Yle (Finland) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| RUV (Iceland) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| NOS (Netherlands) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| NRK (Norway) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| TVP (Poland) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Canal Nu9ve (Mexico) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| SRF/RTS (Switzerland) | ✅Yes | ❌No |
Note
Winter sports fans from the UK, Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland can use NordVPN to stream games from anywhere. This means that if you’re on vacation or working abroad, you can still access the Winter Olympics by switching your digital location back home.
Why use a VPN to watch the Winter Olympics online?
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free on platforms like BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), 9Now (Australia), and RTÉ Player (Ireland). However, all of these free live streams are geo-restricted, but you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. A VPN hides your real IP address and connects you to a secure server in the country of your choice. This allows you to access all the free Winter Olympics streams from anywhere in the world.
In addition, a VPN protects your online privacy by encrypting your connection and keeping your data safe. It also ensures fast, stable streaming by avoiding ISP throttling, keeping your streams smooth and in high definition with minimal buffering. On top of that, a VPN provides extra security, letting you watch every downhill skiing race, figure skating routine, and gold-medal moment safely.
Benefits of using NordVPN
There are several reasons NordVPN ranks #1 on our VPN list and is the best for streaming the Winter Olympics for free:
- Over 9300 servers in 137 countries. With such a wide server network, you can access official Winter Olympics streams from places like the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Italy.
- Fast and reliable streaming speeds. NordVPN keeps your Winter Olympics streams clear and in high definition. I tested it myself and was able to unblock sites like BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), and 9Now (Australia). Streams loaded instantly with no buffering, making it easy to watch the Winter Olympics for free from anywhere.
- Strict no-logs policy. NordVPN does not track or store your online activity, which means you can stream at home or use public Wi-Fi while traveling without being tracked.
- 10 simultaneous connections. One NordVPN account lets you stream on multiple devices simultaneously, such as your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV.
- 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try NordVPN risk-free and get a full refund if it doesn’t meet your needs during the first 30 days.
With NordVPN, you can securely connect to official Winter Olympics broadcasters that may otherwise be unavailable outside of their regions, ensuring smooth, reliable streaming from anywhere. NordVPN’s two-year Basic plan is currently available for $ 3.49 per month at a 75% discount, billed upfront at $87.06/year, making it a great deal for long-term streaming and online protection. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to watch the entire 2026 Winter Olympics.
How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere for free?
You can still watch the Olympics for free from anywhere using official streaming platforms and a reliable VPN. Here’s how to watch the Winter Olympics 2026 step-by-step:
Step 1. Choose a reliable streaming VPN
To watch the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere, you’ll need a reliable VPN with a large number of servers capable of bypassing geo-restrictions. Most of the best streaming VPNs aren’t free, but many offer free trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to access live streams without spending a lot of money. As a result, I recommend NordVPN, as it provides a perfect balance of speed and security, ensuring you can bypass any restrictions and watch the Winter Olympics smoothly.
NordVPN is the best VPN for watching the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina 2026, as it offers reliable servers that bypass geo-restrictions and keep your connection secure and private. It also uses the specialized NordLynx protocol, designed for high-speed tasks such as 4K live sports streaming, so you won’t experience buffering during games.
Step 2. Download and install the VPN app on your device
After choosing a VPN, download and install its app on your device. NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, so you can stream on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV at the same time. You can simply download the NordVPN app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, connect to your chosen country, and then open your preferred streaming app or just use your phone’s web browser.
Most Winter Olympics broadcasters also offer mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites, so you can watch the games directly in your phone’s browser or app while connected to a VPN.
Step 3. Connect to a server in a location with free access
To access free Winter Olympics streams, connect your VPN to a server in a country where free streaming is available. For example, free coverage is available on BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), 9Now (Australia), and RTÉ Player (Ireland). With YouTube TV’s 21-day free trial, you can watch NBC, USA Network, and CNBC in the US.
Other free international streams include ORF (Austria), RTBF and VRT (Belgium), DR (Denmark), France TV (France), RAI (Italy), Yle (Finland), ZDF (Germany), RUV (Iceland), NOS (Netherlands), NRK (Norway), TVP (Poland), RTVE (Spain), Canal Nu9ve (Mexico), and SRF/RTS channels (Switzerland).For the best streaming quality, choose a VPN serverclosest to the country of your selected streaming service. This provides the fastest, most reliable connection, ensuring you can watch every match in high definition.
Step 4. Access a streaming service and watch the Winter Olympics for free
Open the broadcaster’s website or app, such as bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Most free streaming services require you to create an account. This usually only requires a basic email address and a local zip code (like BBC iPlayer in the UK or YouTube TV in the US). Once logged in, go to the Sports section, look for the Winter Olympics, and start streaming live games.
Best VPNs for the 2026 Winter Olympics
After testing 22 VPN providers, I selected the top VPNs to access the 2026 Winter Olympics securely and privately, bypassing geo-blocking from anywhere. Here are the best VPNs for streaming the Winter Olympics 2026:
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1.NordVPN: Offers some of the fastest speeds on the market, with 9300 RAM-only servers in 137 locations. Its obfuscated servers and military-grade encryption make it a top choice for bypassing geo-blocks and streaming the Winter Olympic Games in HD. While it doesn’t offer a free plan, it has a 3-day free trial on Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all devices. Plans start from $ 3.49/month.
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2.Surfshark: Unblocks most streaming sites easily and lets you connect unlimited devices, so you can watch the Olympics on all your devices at once. There’s no free plan, but it includes a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plans start from $ 2.49/month.
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3.Proton VPN: Offers a free plan with limited servers, but strong privacy features make it a solid budget-friendly option for accessing free streaming platforms. Paid plans provide more servers, faster speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, starting at $ 2.99 per month.
2026 Winter Olympics competition schedule
The 2026 Winter Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026, are scheduled for February 6 to February 22, 2026. While the opening ceremony will be held on February 6, preliminary competitions in curling, ice hockey, and freestyle skiing will begin on February 4, 2026. Here’s the preliminary Winter Olympics schedule:
| Sports | Dates | Key events/notes |
| Alpine skiing | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Men’s Downhill on Feb 7; Women’s Downhill on Feb 8; Men’s Giant Slalom on Feb 14; Women’s Giant Slalom on Feb 15 |
| Biathlon | Feb 8 – Feb 21 | Men’s 20km on Feb 10; Women’s 15km on Feb 11 |
| Bobsleigh | Feb 12 – Feb 22 | Women’s Monobob on Feb 16; 2-men Heat on Feb 17 |
| Cross-country skiing | Feb 7 – Feb 22 | Women’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon on Feb 7, Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon on Feb 8 |
| Curling | Feb 4 – Feb 22 | Men’s Gold Medal Game on Feb 21, Women’s Gold Medal Game on Feb 22 |
| Figure skating | Feb 6 – Feb 19 | Team event starts on Feb 6; Women’s Free Skating on Feb 19 |
| Freestyle skiing | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Women’s Freeski on Feb 9, Men’s Freeski on Feb 10 |
| Ice hockey | Feb 5 – Feb 22 | Men’s Final on Feb 22; Women’s Final on Feb 19 |
| Luge | Feb 4 – Feb 12 | Medal event daily starting on Feb 8 |
| Nordic combined | Feb 9 – Feb 19 | Team Sprint, Cross-Country on Feb 19 |
| Short track speed skating | Feb 10 – Feb 20 | Medal events on Feb 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 |
| Skeleton | Feb 9 – Feb 15 | Medal events on Feb 13, 14, and 15 |
| Ski jumping | Feb 5 – Feb 16 | Women’s NH Individual on Feb 7; Men’s NH Individual on Feb 9; Men’s Super Team on Feb 16 |
| Ski mountaineering | Feb 19 – Feb 21 | Olympic debut sport |
| Snowboard | Feb 5 – Feb 18 | Men’s Snowboarding on Feb 6, 7, 12, 13, 15, 18; Women’s Snowboarding on Feb 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17 |
| Speed skating | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Men’s on Feb 8, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21; Women’s on Feb 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 20, 21 |
Final thoughts
The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on February 6, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, bringing together the world’s best athletes for unforgettable winter sports. Many broadcasters around the world offer free live coverage of sports events, but access is often limited to viewers in specific countries. However, you can easily bypass these geo-restrictions with a reliable VPN.
That’s why I recommend NordVPN: it lets you securely access the official Olympic Winter 2026 Games from other regions by changing your online location, so you can watch free coverage as if you were at home. With fast speeds, stable connections, and easy-to-use apps, NordVPN is a reliable way to enjoy every race, match, and medal ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere.
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FAQ
You can watch the Winter Olympics in the US live on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC with YouTube TV’s 21-day free trial. However, if you’re traveling outside the US or want to connect to these channels, you can use NordVPN to connect to a US server. It lets you securely access these broadcasts and watch all the Winter Olympic Games from anywhere.
In the UK, you can watch the Winter Olympics live for free on BBC iPlayer. You’ll need to create a BBC iPlayer account, and it requires a UK postcode to sign up. In this case, you can use any valid UK postcode to look like you live there. If you’re outside the UK and you want to secure your connection, use a reliable VPN, like NordVPN, to connect to a UK server. This will give you secure access to BBC iPlayer so you don’t miss any of the Olympic sports events.
Watch all the Winter Olympics live for free on CBC Gem in Canada. Simply create a free account on the CBC Gem website or app to access every game, including the opening and closing ceremonies. If you are a Canadian resident traveling abroad during the Games, you can use NordVPN to securely connect to a Canadian server and watch it from anywhere.
In Australia, you can watch the Winter Olympics live on 9Now. 9Now requires you to create an account to access the streams. If you’re outside Australia, you can use NordVPN to connect to an Australian server. This will give you a secure way to watch 9Now, so you don’t miss any Olympic games.
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics without a cable subscription using free or streaming services such as BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), 9Now (Australia), or RTÉ Player (Ireland). Many of these services are geo-restricted, but you can use a VPN, like NordVPN, to connect to a server in your preferred country and access the games securely from anywhere. This way, you can watch live events, highlights, and replays without a traditional cable plan.
Yes, you need a Peacock subscription to watch the Olympics in 2026. Peacock Premium costs $10.99/month and offers live sports, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. However, Peacock does not offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can cancel your subscription at any time to prevent renewal.
Yes, you can watch the Winter Olympics for free on official broadcasters in certain countries. For example, BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), 9Now (Australia), and RTÉ Player (Ireland) all offer free live streams of the events. If you’re outside these countries, you can use a VPN, such as NordVPN, to connect to a server in the country, giving you secure access to these free streams from anywhere.
