when do the olympics start 2026

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially run from 6 February to 22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Quick Scoop: Key Dates

• Official Olympic dates: 6–22 February 2026.

• Opening Ceremony: 6 February 2026 at San Siro Stadium in Milan.

• Closing Ceremony: 22 February 2026.

• Early events: Some competitions (like curling) are scheduled to begin on 4 February 2026, before the Opening Ceremony.

What “start” Really Means

If you’re asking “when do the Olympics start 2026” as a TV viewer or casual fan, most people treat the Opening Ceremony on 6 February as the true start.

If you’re planning travel or tickets, note that medal‑relevant competition actually begins on 4 February, so the atmosphere will already feel like the Games have begun.

In forum discussions and sports news, you’ll often see both dates mentioned: 4 February for first events and 6 February for the ceremonial kickoff.

Timeline Snapshot

• 4 February 2026: First events (for example, curling mixed doubles) get underway.

• 6 February 2026: Opening Ceremony; full slate of events ramps up over the following days.

• Mid‑February 2026: Peak schedule with daily medal events across skiing, skating, hockey, and more.

• 22 February 2026: Final events (such as men’s ice hockey final) and Closing Ceremony.

Mini FAQ

• Where are the 2026 Olympics? In northern Italy, shared mainly between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, plus other venues in the region.

• What type of Games? These are the Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026), the 25th Winter Games.

TL;DR: The 2026 Winter Olympics officially run from 6–22 February 2026, but the first competitions start on 4 February.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.