The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina officially begin on February 6, 2026. The opening ceremony will set the stage, followed by a full day of events. Early action features figure skating team events, including the rhythm dance and pairs short programs. Fans can anticipate coverage on NBC and associated platforms for comprehensive viewing of the games.

Simultaneously, the curling mixed doubles round-robin competition gets underway with matches like Italy versus Switzerland, Sweden against Great Britain, and USA facing Canada. Additionally, women's ice hockey games see France versus Japan and Czechia versus Switzerland. These initial events provide a taste of the diverse sporting action to come throughout the Winter Olympics.

Alpine skiing also kicks off with men's and women's downhill training sessions. The schedule also includes re-airs of events like the women's hockey game between USA and Czechia. The day culminates with the opening ceremony red carpet and ceremony itself, setting the tone for the two-week competition.

This early schedule is vital for setting the narrative for the Olympics. The first day's results in sports like curling and hockey will influence momentum. Keep an eye on the figure skating team events, especially as they are heavily watched events. This early stage also helps establish which countries will dominate the medal count.