When is the opening ceremony for the 2026 Olympic Games Milano Cortina? Time and how to watch and stream

Everything is in place for the 2026 Winter Olympics which officially kicks off this weekend. Around around 2,900 athletes from 92 participating nations will be putting their skills to the test, competing against the world’s best in 116 events across 16 disciplines.

The Olympic torch began its journey from Olympia, Greece to Italy on 26 November 2025 and arrived in Milan on Thursday, on time for Friday’s Opening Ceremony.

When does the 2026 Milano Cortina Opening Ceremony start?

For the first time in history, the ceremony will take place simultaneously in two separate locations, starting at 8 p.m. local time (CET) - 3 p.m. ET in New York, and 12 noon PT in Los Angeles.

The main event takes place in Milan at the city’s iconic San Siro Stadium. At the same time, there will be ceremonies and athlete parades in Predazzo, Livigno and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Providing the musical entertainment at San Siro will be American R&B artist and five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey alongside popular Italian singer Laura Pausini and tenor Andrea Bocelli. Also taking to the stage will be award-winning actor and producer Pierfrancesco Favino and The White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore.

President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella will officially open the Games, and the night will reach its conclusion when the two Olympic cauldrons will simultaneously lit in Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and in front of the Arco della Pace in Milan.

How to watch the 2026 Olympic Games Milano Cortina Opening Ceremony

The ceremony will be broadcast live by rights-holding broadcasters in 69 territories, including the United States and Canada.

Viewers in the United States will be able to follow the Opening ceremony on NBC, whose coverage starts at 1:40 p.m. ET / 10:40 p.m. PT. The event can will also be streamed live on Peacock.

In Canada, CBC/Radio-Canada holds the broadcast rights, while TSN and Sportsnet will also be providing coverage throughout the games.

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