There’s no sporting event quite like the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. It’s one moment when the world feels truly united, mixing high-concept performance art with the raw emotion of thousands of athletes marching into the stadium with their national flags held high. Every host city tries to outdo the last, and Italy—with its deep connection to art and opera—is expected to deliver a spectacle that rivals the legendary displays of years past.
The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony kicks off on Friday, February 6, at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan. As a global capital of fashion and design, Milan promises a production that’s visually stunning, sophisticated, and deeply rooted in Italian history. But for viewers in the U.S., the location brings a logistical twist.
With Milan six hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast, American viewers have two distinct ways to watch. You can watch the live broadcast during the day to see the event unfold in real time, or tune in for the curated primetime special that evening. I’ve detailed exactly how to watch both options below so you can witness the lighting of the Olympic cauldron from the comfort of your couch.
What channel is the Opening Ceremony on?
You can watch the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony live and in primetime on NBC and Peacock. Spanish-language coverage will also be available via Telemundo.
While USA Network and CNBC will carry various sporting events throughout the Winter Games, the Opening Ceremony is reserved for the main NBC broadcast network and the Peacock streaming service.
Prefer the big screen? You can watch the Opening Ceremony and other daytime Olympic events live at over 150 AMC Theatres nationwide. Tickets go on sale January 23 at Fandango.com.
When is the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The 2026 Opening Ceremony will take place live on Friday, February 6, at 2:00 p.m. ET and last about three hours. NBC and Peacock coverage will begin at noon ET, while Telemundo’s broadcast will start shortly after.
A primetime presentation will also air on NBC and Peacock starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Savannah Guthrie and Terry Gannon will host NBCUniversal’s Opening Ceremony coverage, with snowboarding icon Shaun White joining them in the booth. Mike Tirico will also contribute as the primetime studio host, anchoring from Northern California, where he’s stationed for Super Bowl LX.
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony TV schedule
Data effective as of post date. The primetime encore airs at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT/MT.
Best ways to watch the Opening Ceremony
We’ve seen incredible displays in recent Opening Ceremony history, especially at the Winter Olympics. Two that remain fresh in my mind are the high-tech “Ice Cube” visuals of Beijing 2022 and the unforgettable scene in Lillehammer 1994 when a ski jumper rocketed into the stadium with the Olympic torch.
Since the 2026 Opening Ceremony promises to be another spectacle, your choice of TV service depends on whether you want to see it “as it happens” or wait for the glitzy primetime package. Here are three reliable options to help you watch it all.
- Streaming: Peacock is the ultimate destination for the 2026 Opening Ceremony. It simulcasts NBC’s live daytime coverage, so you can watch the cauldron lighting on your phone or tablet the moment it happens. Plus, it’s the only place to find full, unedited replays on demand if you miss the live window.
- Live TV: If you want a classic TV experience with NBC and 100+ other channels, YouTube TV is my next favorite option. Its cloud DVR is particularly handy here. You can record the primetime broadcast and skip through commercials while still enjoying the “big event” feel.
- Over the air: You can watch the complete Opening Ceremony on your local NBC station without a monthly bill using a simple digital antenna. I recommend using Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator to verify the signal in your area, then heading to our Best OTA Antennas guide to find the right hardware for your home.
What happens during the Olympic Opening Ceremony?
Centered on the artistic theme “Armonia” (Italian for harmony), the 2026 Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium aims to deliver an emotional journey that blends Italian tradition with pop culture spectacle. Produced by Balich Wonder Studio, the event will feature performances by global superstars like Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, alongside Italian icons Laura Pausini and The White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore.
While the main stage is in Milan, the Parade of Nations will break tradition by extending far beyond the city limits. In a move to bring athletes closer to their competition sites, simultaneous parades and celebrations will take place across the Olympic clusters in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, extending the festive spirit to the Alps and the metropolis.
The night’s most symbolic moment—the lighting of the Olympic cauldron—will also see a historic first. To represent the unity between the two host hubs, two separate cauldrons will be ignited simultaneously: one at Milan’s iconic Arco della Pace and another in the heart of Cortina’s Piazza Dibona.
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony FAQ
Can I watch the Opening Ceremony for free?
Yes! The primetime broadcast of the Opening Ceremony will air on your local NBC station, which is available for free over the air with a digital antenna. You can also get free streaming trials from DIRECTV and YouTube TV to pick up NBC for a limited time.
How long is the Opening Ceremony?
Most Olympic opening ceremonies last between three and four hours. This includes the artistic performances, the Parade of Nations, the official speeches, and the final lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Why does Greece always march first in the Parade of Nations?
This is one of the oldest Olympic traditions, honoring Greece as the birthplace of the Ancient Games. For the 2026 Winter Games, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team will march second. All other nations follow in alphabetical order based on the host country's language (Italian). Italy will then march last to close out the parade.
What is the "Olympic Oath"?
During every Opening Ceremony, representatives from the host nation recite the Olympic Oath on behalf of all participants. In a recent format change, this is now performed by six representatives (two athletes, two coaches, and two judges). They pledge to compete fairly, respect the rules, and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.
Who lights the Olympic cauldron?
The identity of the final torchbearer is one of the most closely guarded secrets in sports. It's typically a legendary athlete from the host country. For example, in the 2010 Vancouver Games, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky famously traveled through the streets in the back of a pickup truck to light an outdoor cauldron after the indoor ceremony.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren researched the official NBCUniversal broadcast schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics. To determine the most reliable viewing methods for the Opening Ceremony, he analyzed both live and on-demand options. Ian then evaluated Peacock and top live TV services, comparing their pricing, DVR capabilities, and feature sets to recommend the best choices for viewers.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
