How to Watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony [2025]

Friday, February 6th is shaping up to be one of those rare moments where you'll want to clear your calendar. The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is happening that day, and honestly, it's not just another sporting event. This is the kind of spectacle that comes around once every two years, featuring world-class performances, nearly 3,000 athletes marching in the Parade of Nations, and two Olympic cauldrons being lit simultaneously across Italy.

Let me break down what's actually happening here. Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are co-hosting the Games this year, which means the opening ceremony is basically a two-city celebration. You'll see performances from Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, both performing live at San Siro Stadium in Milan. The whole thing runs three hours, with the ceremony kicking off at 2 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon, and NBC is airing it live. If you can't make the afternoon broadcast, they're re-running it in primetime at 8 p.m. ET the same night.

The thing is, figuring out how to actually watch this can get confusing fast. Do you need cable? Can you stream it? What platforms have it? That's what this guide is for. We've collected everything you need to know about watching the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, from every streaming option available to what's actually happening during the event itself.

TL; DR

• Live broadcast: Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC (also primetime rerun at 8 p.m. ET)
• Streaming options: Peacock ($11/month ad-supported), DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and NBC.com
• Performers: Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Sabrina Impacciatore, and pianist Lang Lang
• Location: San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy
• Key moments: Parade of Nations with 3,000 athletes, two Olympic cauldrons lit in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo

Peacock offers two subscription tiers for streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics: an

Streaming the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on Peacock

Peacock is probably your easiest option if you don't have cable. Here's the straightforward breakdown: you can stream the Opening Ceremony live on Peacock if you've got an active subscription. The platform offers two pricing tiers, and honestly, both work fine for the Olympics.

The ad-supported tier runs $11 a month. That gets you access to live sports and events airing on NBC, which includes the entire 2026 Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, and a bunch of other stuff. You'll also get thousands of hours of on-demand content: Parks and Recreation, The Office, every Bravo show, and a decent selection of movies. The ads are there, but they're not constant, so it's not unbearable if you're just tuning in for the ceremony.

If you want to go premium, the ad-free tier is $17 monthly. That removes the advertisements completely and gives you something the ad tier doesn't: live access to your local NBC affiliate. This matters if you're someone who watches NBC shows regularly beyond just sports events. You also get the ability to download select titles to watch offline, which is handy if you're traveling during the Olympics.

One thing people often miss: both tiers give you access to NBC Olympics coverage beyond just the opening ceremony. We're talking about daily competitions, medal rounds, athlete interviews, and all the highlights you'd want during the Games. If you're planning to watch more than just the ceremony, Peacock becomes even more valuable because you're basically getting a full two-week sports pass.

The login process is simple. You sign up on Peacock's website or through the app, enter your payment info, and you're watching within minutes. If you've already got a Peacock account for other content, you're already set. Just open the app on whatever device you're using (phone, tablet, smart TV, computer) and search for the Olympics opening ceremony coverage.

DirecTV offers a comprehensive sports package at a higher cost, while Peacock provides a budget-friendly option with fewer sports channels. Estimated data based on typical offerings.

Watching on NBC Television: The Traditional Route

If you've got cable or a cable package, NBC is broadcasting the opening ceremony on Friday afternoon. The live broadcast runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, which gives you the full three-hour ceremony as it happens. They're also doing an edited primetime re-broadcast from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET that same night, which is actually when most people watch major Olympic events because it hits during peak viewing hours.

You don't need to do anything special to watch NBC. Just tune to the NBC channel on whatever cable provider you're using. If you're not sure what channel NBC is on your system, a quick search for "NBC channel number [your cable provider]" will get you there instantly.

The broadcast will be hosted by Terry Gannon, who's one of NBC's lead Olympic commentators. Mike Tirico, NBC's primetime Olympics host, is also participating remotely from San Francisco because he's pulling double duty covering the Olympics and preparing to call the Super Bowl. Shaun White, the legendary Olympic snowboarder, will also be contributing commentary. These guys know what they're talking about, so the commentary layer adds value beyond just watching the ceremony itself.

The advantage of the TV broadcast over streaming, honestly, is simplicity. You don't need to sign up for anything, remember passwords, or deal with buffering. Turn on the TV, flip to NBC, and you're watching. It's the no-friction option. The trade-off is that you're locked into their broadcast schedule. Miss the 2 p.m. showing? You have to wait for the 8 p.m. re-run unless you want to watch via a different platform.

NBC.com and the NBC App: Streaming with Cable Authentication

If you've got a cable subscription but prefer watching on a streaming device, NBC.com and the NBC App let you stream the ceremony directly. This is the cable company's answer to cord-cutters: you get all the NBC broadcast content, but you can watch it wherever you want.

Here's how it works: You go to NBC.com or open the NBC App (available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and basically any major streaming device). Then you log in with your cable provider credentials. This authenticates that you've got an active cable subscription, and boom, you get access to live NBC broadcasts and on-demand content.

The advantage here is flexibility. You can watch the ceremony on your living room TV via an Apple TV or Roku device, switch to your phone while you're making breakfast, and finish on your iPad later. Everything syncs, so you can actually pause on one device and resume on another if you're jumping around.

One warning though: the streaming quality depends on your internet connection. If you've got slower internet (below 10 Mbps), you might see some buffering during the live broadcast. Wired ethernet connection is ideal if you're using a streaming device, because WiFi can be flaky during high-traffic moments like Olympics opening ceremonies when thousands of people are simultaneously trying to stream the same event.

You can also access Olympics-specific coverage through NBCOlympics.com, which is basically NBC's dedicated Olympics streaming hub. Same authentication process, same content, just a different URL. Some people prefer this because the interface is optimized specifically for sports rather than general NBC content.

Peacock offers the cheapest option at $11/month, while DirecTV provides a free 5-day trial. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are more expensive but offer more channels.

DirecTV: The Cable Alternative for Cord-Cutters

DirecTV is one of the remaining cable alternatives that still offers a solid live TV experience, and it absolutely has the opening ceremony available. Their Entertainment tier package is what you want for the Olympics, and it costs $89.99 per month.

What you're getting with that tier is access to ESPN, TNT, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, and your local affiliates for ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC (depending on your location). So basically, you're getting NBC plus a ton of sports channels. There's unlimited Cloud DVR storage, so you can record the ceremony and watch it later if you want. You also get ESPN+, which is a separate streaming service that adds even more sports content.

Here's the deal that makes DirecTV worth considering: you can try all of this for free for 5 days. If you want to test whether the streaming quality is good, whether you actually use all these channels, or whether the interface works well for you, you can literally do that with zero commitment. Five days is enough time to watch the opening ceremony and see if you like the experience.

The catch? After the free trial ends, you're locked in at $89.99/month. That's not cheap compared to a Peacock subscription, but you're also getting way more than just Olympics coverage. You're getting a full cable replacement with sports-focused channel lineups and streaming add-ons.

If you're someone who watches a lot of sports (college football, basketball, professional sports), DirecTV actually pays for itself. If you're just interested in the Olympics and maybe the Super Bowl, Peacock is probably the smarter move.

Hulu + Live TV: The Comprehensive Streaming Option

Hulu + Live TV is another live streaming service that carries NBC and gives you the opening ceremony. The base package is $84.99 per month and includes over 90 live TV channels. NBC is obviously in there, but you're also getting ESPN, Disney Channel, Fox News, HGTV, Food Network, and a massive selection of other networks.

Beyond live TV, you also get access to Hulu's entire on-demand library. This is genuinely valuable because Hulu has thousands of movies and shows. If you're already paying for Hulu separately, combining it with live TV actually saves you money versus paying for both services individually.

The interface is clean and relatively intuitive. You can browse live channels, see what's currently airing, and find upcoming events easily. Search functionality works well if you're looking specifically for Olympics coverage. The DVR feature lets you record shows and events, so you can grab the ceremony and watch it on your schedule.

Streaming quality is generally solid, though like any streaming service, it depends on your internet connection. Hulu + Live TV requires at least 8 Mbps for smooth HD streaming, so make sure you've got decent bandwidth before the ceremony starts.

The trade-off with Hulu + Live TV is that you're paying more than Peacock, but you're getting significantly more content overall. If you're a TV watcher beyond just sports, this makes sense. If you're only interested in the Olympics, Peacock is cheaper.

YouTube TV excels in device compatibility and flexibility, making it a top choice for diverse streaming needs. (Estimated data)

YouTube TV: The Most Flexible Live Streaming Option

YouTube TV is another solid option for streaming the opening ceremony. It's $82.99 per month for the base package, which includes NBC and a huge selection of other channels. The interface is probably the cleanest of all the live TV streamers because, well, it's YouTube, and they've had a lot of practice making video interfaces work smoothly.

YouTube TV distinguishes itself with flexibility. You can create multiple user profiles, so different family members can have their own DVR recordings and watch history. If you've got kids who want to watch the youth Olympic events during the Games, and you want to record the opening ceremony, you can have separate recordings without them interfering with each other.

The unlimited DVR feature is solid too. Unlike some services that limit how long you can keep recordings, YouTube TV lets you store stuff indefinitely (technically 9 months, but it auto-deletes old content to make room). For the opening ceremony specifically, you can record it and never worry about it disappearing.

The biggest advantage? YouTube TV works great on basically everything. Phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers, Chromecasts, Apple TVs, Roku devices. If it can play YouTube videos, it can play YouTube TV. So if you're someone who uses different devices depending on what room you're in, YouTube TV gives you the most seamless experience.

Quality-wise, YouTube TV streams at 1080p, which is excellent for the ceremony. You'll see the performances and the athletes clearly. Again, you need decent internet (8+ Mbps for smooth streaming), but the buffering is minimal with their infrastructure.

What's Actually Happening at the 2026 Opening Ceremony

Okay, so you've got your streaming figured out. Now let's talk about what you're actually going to see when you tune in on Friday afternoon. The 2026 Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony isn't just athletes walking around. There's real production value here.

The ceremony runs three hours total, which is a decent chunk of time to commit, but it's deliberately paced so you're not sitting through two hours of boring transitions. Here's the structure: opening performances, then the Parade of Nations where nearly 3,000 Olympic athletes march into San Siro Stadium, then the ceremonial moments like lighting the Olympic cauldrons, all mixed with performances and cultural segments.

The venue itself is San Siro Stadium, which is home to two Italian football (soccer) clubs: AC Milan and Inter Milan. The stadium holds about 80,000 people, so there's actual crowd energy happening in person, not just a TV spectacle. This atmosphere matters for the experience. You can feel the excitement through the broadcast.

What makes this ceremony different from other Olympics is the dual-city setup. Milan is the main hub for the Games, but Cortina d'Ampezzo is hosting the Alpine events like skiing and snowboarding. So they're lighting Olympic cauldrons in two different locations, which is logistically interesting and symbolically meaningful. One cauldron goes up at Milan's famous Arco della Pace (the Peace Arch), and another in the mountains of Cortina. It's almost like the ceremony is acknowledging that the entire country is participating, not just one city.

The 2026 Opening Ceremony is structured to balance performances, the Parade of Nations, and cultural segments, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience. (Estimated data)

The Performers: What to Expect

Mariah Carey is headlining the ceremony, which is genuinely significant. Carey's a massive name globally, and having her perform at the Olympics opening is the kind of casting that makes people actually tune in. She's performed at other major events (Super Bowl halftime shows, award shows), so she knows how to work a massive stage and a global audience.

Andrea Bocelli is the co-lead, and this is particularly fitting given that the ceremony is in Italy and Bocelli is Italian. The man's an absolute legend in opera and classical music. Pairing Bocelli with Carey—a global pop icon with a classical music master—creates an interesting creative tension that should be interesting to watch.

Sabrina Impacciatore is also performing, and if you've watched HBO's "The White Lotus" recently, you've seen her work. She's a talented actress and performer, so her contribution should add another layer to the ceremony's artistic side. Lang Lang, the world-renowned pianist, is also performing, which suggests there will be some really high-level classical music components during the ceremony.

What this lineup tells you is that this ceremony isn't just about athletics. It's a genuine artistic production with world-class talent. You're basically getting a concert experience alongside the Olympic ceremony, which is why people who aren't even super into sports actually watch these openings.

The Parade of Nations: Nearly 3,000 Athletes

This is the part where almost every country in the world sends their Olympic athletes marching into the stadium, and it's genuinely moving if you're invested in the Olympics at all. Nearly 3,000 athletes will be participating in this parade, each one having trained for years for their specific event. The parade typically lasts over an hour, so they're not rushing it.

What makes the parade engaging is seeing the athletes from smaller countries get their moment. Jamaica's bobsled team, the Jamaican skiers (yes, they have skiers), the athletes from countries you've never heard of before but who've qualified for the Winter Olympics. The commentators will have athlete facts and stories prepared, so you're learning about people and their journeys while they're marching by.

Each country's delegation enters in a specific order (usually alphabetical by the host country's language, so for Italy it'll be Italian alphabetical order). Their outfits are always interesting too—each country's Olympic committee designs custom gear, and some of these uniforms are genuinely stylish. You'll see traditional elements mixed with modern Olympic aesthetics, and it's honestly a fun visual element of the ceremony.

Inviting people over and muting notifications are key actions to enhance your viewing experience. Estimated data.

The Logistics of Two Olympic Cauldrons

Having two cauldrons lit simultaneously is unusual and requires actual coordination. The Milan cauldron at Arco della Pace is going to be the main ceremonial moment, likely with major fanfare. But the Cortina cauldron needs to light simultaneously or within seconds, which means they're coordinating everything electronically and probably with someone on-site in Cortina ready to trigger the flame.

This is the kind of production detail that's easy to miss if you're just watching casually, but it's actually pretty cool from a logistics perspective. The ceremony planners had to essentially design two different ceremonial moments that happen at the same time but in different locations 150+ miles apart. The broadcast will probably cut between the two locations, showing the reactions and celebration at both sites.

From a symbolism standpoint, the two cauldrons represent the fact that the 2026 Winter Olympics isn't just Milan's Games or Cortina's Games. It's Italy's Games, spread across the entire country. The Alps are where the skiing events happen, and Milan is the modern urban hub. Both are essential to the Games, so both get the ceremonial honor of lighting a cauldron.

When to Watch: Live vs. Primetime

Here's the real question: should you watch the 2 p.m. ET live broadcast or wait for the 8 p.m. ET primetime version?

The live broadcast is exactly what it sounds like. You're watching the ceremony as it happens in real time in Milan (that's 8 p.m. Friday evening in Milan). The energy is genuine, there's no editing, and if something goes unexpectedly, you see it. The downside is 2 p.m. ET is early afternoon for most people. You're either watching at work (if your job allows), taking a break, or specifically carving out afternoon time.

The primetime broadcast is edited down. NBC will cut out some of the slower segments, tighten up the pacing, and focus on the best moments. The ceremony itself runs three hours, but the primetime broadcast is three hours too. However, primetime is when people actually have time to watch TV, so the audience is bigger and you've got more of a "shared viewing experience" if that matters to you.

Realistically? If you want to avoid spoilers and want to watch it unfold with the element of surprise, catch the live broadcast. If you want to watch without work interruptions and you don't mind slightly edited versions, the primetime broadcast is better. There's no wrong choice here.

Technical Setup: Making Sure Your Streaming Actually Works

Here's the part nobody talks about until something goes wrong: actually making sure your streaming setup works smoothly during the ceremony. This matters because the opening ceremony is appointment TV. It happens once, you either watch it live or you don't, and there's no "catching up" on the ceremony the next day in the same way as other events during the Games.

First, check your internet speed before Friday. Most streaming services recommend at least 8 Mbps for HD streaming, 25 Mbps for 4K. Run a speed test (Google "internet speed test" and it'll show you). If you're getting less than 8 Mbps, you're going to have buffering problems. Solution? Use a wired ethernet connection if possible instead of WiFi. If you can't do that, move closer to your router and shut down other devices using the internet during the ceremony.

Second, test your streaming service setup now, not on Friday at 1:55 p.m. Sign up for whatever service you're using (if you haven't already), download the app if you're using a streaming device, log in, and make sure you can actually access live NBC feeds. Sometimes authentication takes longer than expected, or your device might not have the app available. Better to discover these problems now.

Third, if you're using a streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, etc.), restart it before the ceremony starts. Streaming devices can accumulate buffering issues over time, and a simple restart clears out temporary files and helps with streaming performance.

Fourth, close other apps and browser tabs while watching. If you've got seven browser tabs open, your computer is using memory and bandwidth that could be going to streaming the ceremony. Close everything you don't need for the next three hours.

Fifth, have a backup plan. If streaming isn't working, you've always got the traditional TV broadcast on NBC. Make sure you know what channel NBC is on your cable provider before Friday. If you don't have cable, maybe text a friend who does and see if you can watch at their place if streaming completely fails.

Why the 2026 Opening Ceremony Matters

You might be wondering why we're spending all this time on how to watch when you could just... watch it, right? The thing is, the opening ceremony is actually the event that sets the tone for the entire Olympics. It's not just athletes marching around. It's a country saying, "This is who we are. This is what we celebrate. This is the spirit we're bringing to these Games."

For Italy specifically, hosting the Winter Olympics is a big deal. The country has incredible skiing heritage (the Alpine skiing events during these Games are happening in the same Cortina location where Italy's hosted winter events before). Having the opening ceremony happen in Milan, the modern economic and cultural hub of Italy, and then the sporting events spread across the Alps, it's a statement about Italy being both contemporary and traditional, modern and historically significant.

For viewers, the opening ceremony is often the moment people decide they're invested in the Games. A great opening ceremony builds anticipation and excitement for the next two weeks of competition. Bad opening ceremonies... well, people remember those too. The 2026 Milan Cortina ceremony seems to be planning for the former category, with major international performers and genuine production value.

Plus, there's something about watching major global events live, especially Olympic ceremonies. It's one of the few moments where a genuinely huge global audience is watching the same thing at the same time. Billions of people across different countries, different languages, different cultures—all watching this moment in Milan. There's something inherently special about that.

Streaming Quality Across Different Platforms

Not all streaming is created equal, and if you're going to spend three hours watching something, you might as well have good video quality. Here's how the major options stack up:

Peacock: Streams in 1080p for the ceremony. This is standard HD quality, and it looks great on TVs up to 55 inches or so. Not 4K, but perfectly clear. The frame rate is 60 fps (frames per second), which is the standard for smooth video. Bitrate varies depending on your internet, but Peacock's got decent adaptive streaming, meaning it'll automatically adjust quality if your internet fluctuates.

NBC.com/NBC App: Same quality as Peacock (1080p, 60 fps) since they're both owned by the same company (NBCUniversal). The difference is just the interface and whether you need cable authentication.

DirecTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV: All three stream NBC at 1080p with 60 fps. YouTube TV specifically gets points for having the cleanest interface and most consistent quality across different devices.

Traditional NBC broadcast on cable/satellite: This is your standard broadcast quality, which is also 1080p but with potential issues like weather interference if you're using a satellite feed. Cable is usually cleaner.

Honestly, for a ceremony like this, 1080p is plenty. You're going to see the performers clearly, the athletes clearly, the venue details. You don't need 4K to enjoy the opening ceremony. The main difference between these platforms is reliability and interface, not video quality.

International Viewing: Watching Outside the United States

If you're outside the US, your viewing options depend on where you're located. Different countries have different broadcasting rights, and the companies holding those rights vary significantly.

In Canada, the ceremony will be broadcast on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) with simulcasts on their streaming service. Canada always gets Olympics coverage because of their historical winter sports dominance and the fact that they've hosted Winter Olympics multiple times.

In the UK, the BBC holds the rights, so you can watch on BBC One or the BBC iPlayer streaming service. The BBC has been broadcasting the Olympics for decades and has excellent coverage.

In Australia, the Nine Network (Nine, 9Now streaming) has the broadcast rights. Same general idea as the US—you can watch on TV or stream through their platform.

In most other countries, there's a local broadcaster that holds the rights. Check your local TV listings or search for "2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony [your country]" and you'll find the local broadcaster and streaming options.

If you're traveling internationally when the ceremony airs and your home country's streaming service (like Peacock) isn't available in the country you're in, you'll need a VPN to access it. That's a bit of a gray area legally depending on what streaming service's terms of service you're looking at, so just be aware of that before trying it.

Making the Most of Your Viewing Experience

This is straightforward but actually important: make the ceremony an event, not background noise. Here's what that means in practice.

Invite people over. Whether it's family or friends, sharing the experience makes it more fun. The ceremony is three hours, so plan to have snacks and drinks ready. This isn't as intense as watching sports where you're screaming at every play, but it's still engaging enough to hold people's attention.

Mute your phone notifications for those three hours. Nothing kills immersion like a Slack ping going off during Andrea Bocelli's performance. Seriously. Just silence it.

If you're watching live at 2 p.m. ET, set a reminder for Friday at 1:45 p.m. so you're not suddenly realizing the ceremony started five minutes ago and you've missed the opening.

If you're watching the primetime broadcast at 8 p.m. ET, do the same. And if you want to avoid spoilers (in case people who watched the live broadcast start posting about it online), you might want to stay off social media between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sounds extreme, but if you want to experience the ceremony without knowing what happens, it's worth considering.

Have a way to watch the other Olympic events during the Games. The opening ceremony is great, but the actual sporting events are what the Games are about. Make sure you know how to access those once Friday ends and the athletic competitions begin.

FAQ

What time does the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony start?

The opening ceremony airs live on Friday, February 6, 2026, starting at 2 p.m. ET and running until approximately 5 p.m. ET. NBC will also broadcast a primetime re-airing from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET the same evening. International broadcast times will vary depending on your location and time zone.

Can I watch the opening ceremony without cable or a streaming subscription?

Not really. You'll need either a cable subscription, a live TV streaming service like Peacock, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or DirecTV. The only free option would be if you know someone with a cable password and can borrow their login credentials through NBC.com or the NBC App, but that requires access to another person's account.

Is Peacock the cheapest option to watch the opening ceremony?

Yes, Peacock's ad-supported tier at

What happens if there's a technical issue with my streaming during the ceremony?

If your streaming cuts out or buffers excessively, your backup options are the primetime re-broadcast at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, or watching clips on NBC's website or YouTube afterward. To prevent this, test your streaming setup 3-4 days before the ceremony and make sure you've got a strong internet connection (8+ Mbps recommended).

Will the opening ceremony be available to watch after Friday if I miss it live?

Yes. NBC will have highlights and full coverage available on demand through Peacock, NBC.com, and YouTube TV after the ceremony ends. The primetime re-broadcast at 8 p.m. ET is also essentially a way to watch it on the same day if you can't make the live 2 p.m. broadcast. Full replays will be available for several days after the event.

Who is hosting and commentating the opening ceremony broadcast?

Terry Gannon will host the opening ceremony coverage, with additional commentary from former Olympic snowboarder Shaun White and NBC Olympics primetime host Mike Tirico (who will be remote from San Francisco). These experienced commentators will provide context and insights throughout the three-hour ceremony.

Can I watch the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in 4K resolution?

Not on the streaming services mentioned. Peacock, NBC.com, YouTube TV, and the other services stream the ceremony in 1080p HD. While some of these platforms technically support 4K for other content, Olympic coverage typically comes in at 1080p. The traditional NBC broadcast on cable is also standard HD quality.

What if I want to record the opening ceremony to watch later?

If you're using Peacock, the ad-free tier ($17/month) lets you download select content for offline viewing. If you're using YouTube TV, their unlimited DVR feature automatically saves all NBC broadcasts, so you can watch the ceremony anytime. DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV also have DVR features. Traditional cable DVR works too if you've got cable.

Is there a way to watch the opening ceremony with international commentary instead of NBC's?

If you're in Canada, you can watch CBC's broadcast. The UK has the BBC. Australia has Nine Network. Each country typically has their own broadcasting partner with their own commentators. If you're outside these countries, checking your local broadcaster's website will show you the opening ceremony coverage available in your area.

Will the opening ceremony performers (Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli) be the only entertainment, or are there other performances?

Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli are the headliners, but Sabrina Impacciatore and pianist Lang Lang are also performing. The ceremony is three hours long, so there will be other entertainment segments, cultural performances, and displays beyond just the named performers. NBC's commentary will highlight all the performances and special moments throughout the ceremony.

Key Takeaways

• The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony airs Friday, February 6 at 2 p.m. ET live and 8 p.m. ET primetime on NBC
• Peacock's ad-supported tier ($11/month) is the cheapest streaming option; YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer more comprehensive live TV options
• Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli headline the ceremony with performances from Sabrina Impacciatore and pianist Lang Lang
• Nearly 3,000 Olympic athletes will participate in the Parade of Nations, with two Olympic cauldrons lit in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Test your streaming setup and internet speed (8+ Mbps required) before Friday to avoid technical issues during the ceremony

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