Few events capture the raw power and tension of the Winter Olympics like speed skating. From the precision, head-to-head dashes on the long-track oval to the chaotic, close-quarters thrills of short track, the sport delivers relentless action. We get to watch athletes from around the globe push the limits of human speed, often separated by mere thousandths of a second.
The next competitions are set for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy. This location presents a time difference challenge for North American viewers. Fortunately, these high-speed races take place during the morning and early afternoon hours in the Eastern and Central time zones.
On the long track, the Netherlands will once again be the team to beat across both men’s and women’s events. But keep your eyes on American phenom Jordan Stolz, who’s looking to disrupt that dominance and chase history in 2026.
Meanwhile, short track promises high drama, with favorites typically emerging from South Korea, China, and the U.S. In this guide, I’ll make sure you’re ready to stream every record-breaking performance this February.
What channel is Olympic speed skating on?
You can watch Olympic speed skating coverage on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. The primary live race coverage will air on USA Network and CNBC, while your local NBC station will focus on primetime highlights and packaged broadcasts of the finals.
For truly comprehensive access, Peacock is essential. Every single speed skating event—from the men’s 500m to the women’s Team Pursuit—will stream live on the service. You can also find Spanish-language coverage of select races on Telemundo or UNIVERSO.
Pro tip: In Canada, Olympic broadcasts air across CBC/Radio-Canada, TSN, and Sportsnet. Full coverage of all long-track and short-track speed skating events is generally available to stream for free on CBC Gem.
2026 Winter Olympic speed skating schedule
The Olympic speed skating schedule is a tale of two tracks. You get the controlled environment of long track and the chaotic, elbow-to-elbow racing of short track. Both men’s and women’s competitions feature a full slate of distances (500m, 1000m, 1500m), plus the tactical team pursuit and the high-contact mass start.
Because Milan is six hours ahead of the Eastern time zone, the biggest races will air during the morning in North America. Long-track finals will often start around 10:00 a.m. ET, while short-track events—which include multiple elimination heats—often start earlier.
The concentration of these quick events makes the time difference less of an issue. You can jump into the live action during your morning breakfast and catch multiple finals in quick succession. Just keep an eye on the TV schedules below to track every broadcast window.
Long track speed skating schedule
| Event | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Feb. 7 | ||
| Women's 3000m | 10:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Sunday, Feb. 8 | ||
| Men's 5000m | 10:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Monday, Feb. 9 | ||
| Women's 1000m | 11:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Wednesday, Feb. 11 | ||
| Men's 1000m | 12:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Thursday, Feb. 12 | ||
| Women's 5000m | 10:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Friday, Feb. 13 | ||
| Men's 10000m | 10:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Saturday, Feb. 14 | ||
| Women's Team Pursuit – Quarterfinals | 10:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's 500m | 11:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Sunday, Feb. 15 | ||
| Men's Team Pursuit – Quarterfinals | 10:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's 500m | 11:03 a.m. | TBA |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | ||
| Men's Team Pursuit – Semifinals | 8:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Team Pursuit – Semifinals | 8:52 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's Team Pursuit – Final D | 9:24 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's Team Pursuit – Final C | 9:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Team Pursuit – Final D | 9:43 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Team Pursuit – Final C | 9:49 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's Team Pursuit – Final B | 10:22 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's Team Pursuit – Final A | 10:28 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Team Pursuit – Final B | 10:41 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Team Pursuit – Final A | 10:47 a.m. | TBA |
| Thursday, Feb. 19 | ||
| Men's 1500m | 10:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | ||
| Women's 1500m | 10:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | ||
| Men's Mass Start – Semifinals | 9:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Mass Start – Semifinals | 9:50 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's Mass Start – Final | 10:40 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's Mass Start – Final | 11:15 a.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Short track speed skating schedule
| Event | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Feb. 10 | ||
| Women's 500m – Heats | 4:30 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1000m – Heats | 5:08 a.m. | TBA |
| Mixed Team Relay – Quarterfinals | 5:53 a.m. | TBA |
| Mixed Team Relay – Semifinals | 6:23 a.m. | TBA |
| Mixed Team Relay – Final B | 6:48 a.m. | TBA |
| Mixed Team Relay – Final A | 6:56 a.m. | TBA |
| Thursday, Feb. 12 | ||
| Women's 500m – Quarterfinals | 2:15 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1000m – Quarterfinals | 2:29 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 500m – Semifinals | 2:58 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1000m – Semifinals | 3:05 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 500m – Final B | 3:26 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 500m – Final A | 3:31 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1000m – Final B | 3:37 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1000m – Final A | 3:43 p.m. | TBA |
| Saturday, Feb. 14 | ||
| Men's 1500m – Quarterfinals | 2:15 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1000m – Heats | 2:59 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1500m – Semifinals | 3:44 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 3000m Relay – Semifinals | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1500m – Final B | 4:27 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 1500m – Final A | 4:34 p.m. | TBA |
| Monday, Feb. 16 | ||
| Women's 1000m – Quarterfinals | 5:00 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's 500m – Heats | 5:18 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1000m – Semifinals | 5:55 a.m. | TBA |
| Men's 5000m Relay – Semifinals | 6:04 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1000m – Final B | 6:36 a.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1000m – Final A | 6:42 a.m. | TBA |
| Wednesday, Feb. 18 | ||
| Men's 500m – Quarterfinals | 2:15 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 500m – Semifinals | 2:42 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 3000m Relay – Final B | 2:50 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 3000m Relay – Final A | 2:59 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 500m – Final B | 3:24 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 500m – Final A | 3:29 p.m. | TBA |
| Friday, Feb. 20 | ||
| Women's 1500m – Quarterfinals | 2:15 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1500m – Semifinals | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 5000m Relay – Final B | 3:17 p.m. | TBA |
| Men's 5000m Relay – Final A | 3:29 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1500m – Final B | 3:56 p.m. | TBA |
| Women's 1500m – Final A | 4:03 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best ways to watch Olympic speed skating
To watch Olympic speed skating, you need access to Peacock or specific NBC networks. Finding the right channel on a standard TV package can be tricky. Since these races are fast—often lasting less than 40 seconds—you need a reliable setup so you don’t miss the finish.
The best way to watch is with a single, simple plan. Below, I’ve listed my top recommendations to help you catch every race.
Best overall: Peacock
Peacock is the absolute best way to watch speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Because long-track and short-track events happen quickly and often simultaneously across venues, the cable networks simply cannot show every heat. With a Peacock Premium subscription, you get a live stream of every single race, including all the early qualifying rounds that decide who makes the finals.
With Peacock, you’ll also get multiview capabilities and on-demand replays. If you miss a final, you can quickly jump back and watch it immediately. Additionally, the streaming service comes with dedicated features like the Gold Zone, giving you whip-around coverage of all the medal moments as they happen across every sport, guaranteeing you never miss a spectacular finish.
Best live TV service: YouTube TV
For a comprehensive cable-alternative package that delivers every necessary NBCUniversal channel, YouTube TV is the top choice. The service includes all the crucial linear networks for the Games, such as NBC, USA Network, and CNBC.
YouTube TV is perfect for fans who want the feel of a traditional TV guide paired with a superior DVR. You can set it to record all speed skating events and save the entire morning’s slate of races to watch later. While this gives you a robust platform for the main broadcasts, keep in mind that some content, including dedicated feeds and comprehensive early-round coverage, will remain exclusive to Peacock.
Watch Olympic speed skating FAQ
Can I watch Olympic speed skating for free?
You can watch key speed skating moments and finals during primetime coverage on your local NBC affiliate, which is available over the air for free with a digital antenna. All other races and comprehensive live coverage are exclusive to NBCUniversal channels and Peacock. But you can get a DIRECTV or YouTube TV free trial to watch USA Network and CNBC.
How can I watch Olympic speed skating replays?
The best way to catch up is through Peacock, which offers full on-demand replays for every long-track and short-track event shortly after they end. If you prefer to record the races, a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV lets you use its DVR to save specific heats and finals.
Where is Olympic speed skating taking place?
Both disciplines will be held in the Milan area, though at different venues. Long-track speed skating takes place at the new Milano Speed Skating Stadium (Fiera Milano Rho), while short track will be contested at the Milano Ice Skating Arena (Assago Forum). Because these are in Milan, live races will air primarily during the morning and mid-day hours across North America.
What's the difference between short-track and long-track speed skating?
Long track features two skaters racing against the clock on a large 400m oval, focusing on sustained speed and technique. Short track involves four to six skaters racing together on a much smaller track, leading to tactical maneuvering, passing, and frequent, exciting crashes.
Which country usually dominates speed skating?
Historically, the Netherlands is the dominant force in long-track speed skating, consistently winning the majority of Olympic medals. In short track, medals are more evenly distributed, with strong teams coming from South Korea, China, and the U.S.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren researched the official NBCUniversal broadcast schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics. For this guide, his goal was to determine the best ways to watch Olympic speed skating. Ian then evaluated live TV services and Peacock, comparing their pricing, DVR capabilities, and other features for the best viewing options.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
