The 2026 Winter Olympics and subsequent Winter Paralympics took place across multiple venues in northern Italy. The Olympic Games featured 16 sports and 116 medal events from February 6 to February 22, while the Paralympic Games, marking their 50th anniversary, were held from March 6 to March 15, showcasing 79 medal events across six sports for approximately 665 Para athletes. Spectators were permitted to attend both events.
The 2026 Winter Olympics
Overview
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, a quadrennial international sporting event, were held from February 6 to February 22 across northern Italy. Hundreds of athletes, including 232 from the United States, competed in 16 sports and 116 medal events across over two dozen venues.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony took place on February 6, with live coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET and a primetime broadcast at 8 p.m. ET. The primary host location was Milan's San Siro Stadium, with simultaneous ceremonies and an additional Olympic cauldron lighting in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Celebrations were also conducted in Livigno and Predazzo. Some sports, such as curling and ice hockey, commenced competition on February 4.
Behind-the-scenes observations included cameras moving on overhead cables and performers waiting between acts. Volunteers assisted with prop carts and parts of Mariah Carey's dress. DJ Mace performed throughout the event. Attendees in the stadium utilized TV screens to view portions of the Parade of Nations occurring in other locations, such as Cortina and Livigno, as well as pre-taped segments and participant names.
The stadium's partially open roof contributed to cold temperatures during the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony, leading participants, including athletes and press, to wear cold-weather attire.
The event featured various Italian cultural elements, such as foam-headed opera figures, dancing stovetop coffeemakers, and models presenting Giorgio Armani's designs in the colors of the Italian flag. Representations of the Mona Lisa, Italian chefs, and architectural landmarks were also present.
Performances included Andrea Bocelli as the Olympic torch entered the arena, Italian pop star Laura Pausini singing the national anthem, and Mariah Carey. Political discussions were noted during the event: Vice President JD Vance's appearance on screen received boos, while Ukrainian athletes were met with applause, and Israeli athletes received boos. Speeches from Olympic officials focused on themes of unity and praised athletes, without explicitly naming ongoing conflicts.
Athletes displayed enthusiasm, with a Brazilian athlete performing a backflip and Austria's flagbearer being carried by a teammate. Other teams, such as Czechia and Greece, engaged in coordinated movements. The atmosphere differed from the Beijing Games. The crowd showed support for moments such as fireworks from the Olympic rings, the arrival of Italian athletes, and Andrea Bocelli's vocal performance.
Closing Ceremony
The Winter Olympics concluded on February 22 with a closing ceremony held at a Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy. The ceremony incorporated traditional elements, including a Parade of Nations featuring flag-bearers, the raising of flags, and the extinguishing of the Olympic cauldrons located in Milan and Cortina. The overall atmosphere of the event was described as more relaxed compared to the opening ceremony.
The Verona Arena, with a capacity of approximately 15,000 attendees, is a smaller, open-air venue compared to Milan's San Siro stadium. Attendees were provided with seat cushions for comfort. Athletes wore more casual attire for the closing event, with Team USA opting for streetwear-inspired baggy pants and puffer jackets. Speeches were delivered by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and the head of the Italian organizing committee. The symbolic torch was passed to France, the host nation for the 2030 Winter Olympics. The ceremony also acknowledged the upcoming Paralympics. Performances featuring candelabra motifs were part of the event. Following the extinguishing of the Olympic flame, a DJ set by the electronic music group Major Lazer engaged many attendees. After the ceremony, athletes were observed departing the venue.
Viewing Information (U.S.)
U.S.-based viewers could access live broadcasts and highlights through NBC, Peacock, and the apps and websites of NBC and NBC Sports. NBC planned to broadcast events live daily, supplemented by a nightly primetime highlights show at 8 p.m. ET. NPR also provided Olympics coverage, including news, recaps, and analysis, available online, on air, and via a dedicated newsletter and video podcast.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics
Overview
The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games commenced on March 6 and concluded on March 15 in Italy, across locations including Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme. Over ten days, approximately 665 athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual disabilities competed for 79 medals across six sports: para Alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. Team USA comprised 68 athletes and four guides, forming the second-largest contingent after China and maintaining its position as the all-time leader in Winter Paralympic medals.
Competition Details
Key storylines included the U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team's objective for a fifth consecutive gold medal, with players such as captain Josh Pauls, Declan Farmer, Brody Roybal, and goaltender Jen Lee. The wheelchair curling event featured 81 matches and marked the Paralympic debut of mixed doubles, with American duo Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer participating. Defending champions and veterans included snowboarder Brenna Huckaby, who sought to defend her 2022 gold medals. Oksana Masters, the most decorated U.S. Paralympian with 19 medals, aimed to add to her count in biathlon and cross-country despite recent injuries. Aaron Pike, her fiancé, aimed for his first medal at his eighth Paralympics. Rising stars making their Paralympic debuts included teenage Alpine skiers Meg Gustafson and Audrey Crowley, snowboarder Kate Delson, and sled hockey players Kayden Beasley, Brett Bolton, Liam Cunningham, and Landon Uthke.
Geopolitical Context
Amid ongoing global conflicts, 10 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed under their own national flags, a departure from the neutral status for Olympians. Iran was not represented due to its sole athlete's stated inability to travel safely. Several European countries and the U.K. participated in a boycott of the opening ceremony in protest.
Historical Context and Sport Differences
The Paralympics originated in 1948 as the Stoke Mandeville Games for World War II veterans. The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, and the Winter Paralympics began in 1976. While sharing host cities with the Olympics, the Paralympics have distinct governing bodies, logos, and mascots. Athletes are categorized based on their degree of activity limitation from various disabilities. Differences from Olympic sports include variations in strategy, courses, and rules, such as no sweeping in para curling and the use of specialized sleds and two sticks in para ice hockey. Advocates state that these differences define a unique sport.
Viewing Information (U.S.)
The opening ceremony was broadcast by NBC, online, and on Peacock, with live coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET and a primetime re-broadcast at 8 p.m. ET. U.S. flag bearers for the opening ceremony were Josh Pauls and Laurie Stephens. NBC offered eight hours of TV coverage, including primetime slots. Peacock provided comprehensive streaming, including live coverage of every sport and event, along with replays. Cable viewing options were available on USA Network and CNBC. The games concluded with the closing ceremony on March 15 in Cortina.
Media Coverage Concerns
Athletes and supporters expressed frustration regarding the media coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games. Audiences globally, including in Australia, primarily accessed events through highlights packages or streaming services, a contrast to the extensive coverage of the Winter Olympics on free-to-air and streaming platforms.
US track and field Paralympic gold medallist Hunter Woodhall criticized NBC, Peacock, and NBC streaming services for the lack of free-to-air access and what he described as substandard commentary. Woodhall stated that the winter event coverage was "disappointing" compared to the 2024 Paris Games and linked the limited media attention to daily discrimination experienced by many athletes. British para powerlifter Louise Sugden stated that athletes "deserve better coverage." Another respondent noted a decline in coverage after perceived progress following the Paris Games.
Alana Baldi from My Ability Sports Media highlighted challenges in accessing consistent Australian coverage. Channel Nine, the official broadcaster, offered a 90-minute daily highlights package on free-to-air television and streaming access via Stan. Baldi stated that this disparity undermines the Paralympic movement, asserting that Paralympians are elite athletes deserving of the same visibility and recognition as their Olympic counterparts.
Historically, Paralympic coverage has often been limited, particularly for the Winter Games. While the summer Paralympics saw improvements, notably with Channel 4's coverage of London 2012, the winter events have lagged.
Paralympic swimmer Kate Bailey described the current reporting as "heartbreaking" and questioned its message to young athletes with disabilities. Paralympic gold medallist Nikki Ayers emphasized that a smaller winter team does not justify less coverage.
Channel Nine stated that all events, highlights, replays, explainers, and athlete profile stories from the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games were streamed live and free through 9Now, with a daily 90-minute highlights show hosted by Ellie Cole screened on Channel 9 and replayed on 9Gem. This content was also available via Stan Sport. For individuals without smart TVs or streaming devices, access was largely limited to the daily highlights program. There is a demand for increased coverage of winter Paralympic athletes. Athletes have expressed interest in participating in commentary roles. While Australia has utilized Paralympic talent, such as Ellie Cole presenting for Channel Nine, these efforts are noted as less comprehensive than for the summer Games. The perceived need for equitable media representation for winter Paralympians is seen as a key area for the Paralympic movement's continued push for broader change.