I’m a huge hockey fan. It’s by far my favorite ice-based sport. But when it comes to the “Fastest Sport on Ice,” luge is the clear winner. I’ve always been amazed by the courage it takes to lie flat on a sled and hurtle down an icy track at nearly 90 mph with only your calf muscles and shoulders to steer. It’s a sport of extreme precision where the difference between a gold medal and fourth place is often measured in thousandths of a second.
The 2026 Winter Olympics bring athletes to the legendary sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where they’ll endure up to 6Gs of force. Because these races are decided by the cumulative time of multiple runs, every single trip down the track is vital. And this year marks a historic milestone as women’s doubles makes its long-awaited Olympic debut.
Whether you’re following the traditional singles events or the high-speed team relay, you are in for a thrill. I’ve mapped out exactly how to tune in below so you don’t miss a single blink-and-you-miss-it moment.
What channel is Olympic luge on?
You can watch Olympic luge in the U.S. entirely on Peacock. The streaming service is the only place to catch every single run of the men’s, women’s, and doubles events live, ensuring you never miss a slider.
On traditional TV, live coverage is split between USA Network and NBC. USA Network will carry the vast majority of the heats, while your local NBC station will feature select high-profile runs and medal moments, plus primetime recaps.
2026 Winter Olympic luge schedule
Olympic luge is intense and condensed. The entire competition takes place over just one week, running from Saturday, February 7, to Friday, February 13. Unlike sports that span the full duration of the Games, luge packs all its drama into a tight window, so you really need to lock in early.
With Italy six hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast, you’ll need to tune in early to catch the live action. It’s worth taking an early lunch break to watch Team USA veterans like Summer Britcher and Emily Fischnaller, or the high-speed doubles team of Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby, take on the track.
To make sure you don’t miss them, I’ve listed the full broadcast schedule below with U.S. times and channels. Just keep in mind that the listed times for each day’s second runs are approximate. If the first heat moves quickly, the next round may begin earlier than expected.
Olympic luge TV schedule
| Event | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Feb. 7 | ||
| Men's Singles: Run 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Peacock |
| Men's Singles: Run 2 | 12:45 p.m. | Peacock, NBC |
| Sunday, Feb. 8 | ||
| Men's Singles: Run 3 | 11:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Men's Singles: Run 4 | 12:45 p.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Monday, Feb. 9 | ||
| Women's Singles: Run 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Women's Singles: Run 2 | 12:45 p.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Tuesday, Feb. 10 | ||
| Women's Singles: Run 3 | 11:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Women's Singles: Run 4 | 12:45 p.m. | Peacock, NBC |
| Wednesday, Feb. 11 | ||
| Women's Doubles: Run 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Men's Doubles: Run 1 | 11:50 a.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Women's Doubles: Run 2 | 12:45 p.m. | Peacock, USA Network, NBC |
| Men's Doubles: Run 2 | 1:45 p.m. | Peacock, USA Network |
| Thursday, Feb. 12 | ||
| Team Relay | 12:30 p.m. | Peacock, NBC |
Data effective as of post date.
Best ways to watch Olympic luge
Luge is a sport defined by consistency. Because medals are decided by the cumulative time of multiple heats, you need a TV plan that allows you to track the leaderboard from the opening run to the final descent. If you rely on basic broadcast updates, you risk missing the split-second errors that determine the podium.
To find the best viewing options, I analyzed the top U.S. TV providers ahead of the Winter Games. Combining that research with the hands-on testing of the CableTV.com team, I’ve narrowed the field down to two top services. Here are my recommendations for catching every millisecond of the action.
Best overall: Peacock
A Peacock Premium subscription ($10.99–$16.99/mo.) is the only way to ensure you see every sled hit the ice. While linear TV often jumps in for the big moments, Peacock provides the “world feed” coverage of the entire event, from the opening qualifying heats to the podium ceremony.
It’s also the best tool for the general Olympic super-fan. Features like Gold Zone offer whip-around coverage of the day’s biggest moments, while Peacock’s multiview lets you watch luge alongside other events on the same screen.
The on-demand flexibility is also a lifesaver here. If a men’s singles heat happens while you’re at work, you can tune in later to watch the full replay without spoilers.
Best live TV service: YouTube TV
If you prefer a traditional cable experience without the contract and equipment, YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) is my top choice. It carries NBC and USA Network, which serve as the primary homes for luge coverage. This is where you’ll get the polished broadcast presentation featuring veteran play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey and four-time Olympian Erin Hamlin Hodge breaking down the technical nuance of every run.
The service’s unlimited DVR is the real “pro move” for the 2026 Games. You can set the Olympics to record with one click, automatically saving every broadcast to your library. This allows you to fast-forward through commercials and get straight to the 90 mph action on your own schedule. Just keep in mind that for 100% heat-by-heat coverage, you may still want to pair this with Peacock.
How to watch Olympic luge FAQ
Can I watch Olympic luge for free?
You can watch select luge runs and medal recaps on your local NBC channel for free with a digital antenna. To see more coverage, you can use a free live TV streaming trial from services like DIRECTV or YouTube TV to watch events airing on USA Network.
How many runs are in Olympic luge?
In the men's and women's singles events, athletes compete in four runs over two days. The doubles and team relay events are shorter, typically consisting of two runs and one run, respectively.
What is the luge team relay?
The team relay is a high-speed event featuring one woman, one man, and one doubles sled from each nation. As each sled finishes, the athlete must hit a touchpad at the finish line that opens the gate at the top of the track for the next teammate to start.
Where is the 2026 Olympic luge track?
The luge events take place at the Cortina Sliding Centre. This venue was built on the site of the historic Eugenio Monti track (host of the 1956 Olympics) and modernized specifically for the 2026 Winter Games.
Which countries are the favorites in luge?
Germany is the undisputed powerhouse of luge, historically winning a vast majority of the gold medals. Other strong contenders include Austria, Italy, and the United States, particularly in the women's and doubles categories.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren analyzed the official NBCUniversal broadcast schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics to determine the best ways to watch luge. He then evaluated Peacock and major live TV services, comparing their pricing, DVR capabilities, and channel lineups. This guide compiles those findings to give you the best options for watching every high-speed run.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
