when do the olympics start opening ceremony

The next Olympic Games to start are the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics , and their opening ceremony is on Friday, 6 February 2026 at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.

Quick Scoop

• Date: Friday, 6 February 2026.

• Local start time (Milan): 8:00 p.m. CET.

• Start time in U.S. Eastern Time: Around 2–2:30 p.m. ET live, with a primetime replay later in the evening on NBC/Peacock.

• Stadium: San Siro (Stadio San Siro), Milan.

• What it marks: The official start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, even though some events begin on 4 February.

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Key Detail	Answer
When do the Olympics start (opening ceremony)?	6 February 2026 (Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics)
Local ceremony time	8:00 p.m. CET in Milan
Stadium	San Siro Stadium, Milan
Live U.S. TV window	Afternoon start (about 2–2:30 p.m. ET) with primetime encore on NBC/Peacock
First competitions	Begin 4 February 2026, two days before the ceremony

A bit of context

The Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Games are the first Winter Olympics jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo , bringing together big-city stadium atmosphere and classic Alpine venues. The opening ceremony show, titled “Armonia” (Harmony) , is designed around the idea of “bringing together” different elements, with large-scale performances and the traditional parade of nations and cauldron lighting.

Major entertainers scheduled include Mariah Carey , along with Italian stars such as Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli , adding a concert-like feel to the ceremony on top of the formal Olympic protocol. Broadcasters like NBC plan both a live afternoon broadcast and a curated primetime version aimed at casual viewers who just want the highlights and big spectacle.

If you’re planning around “when do the Olympics start opening ceremony,” think:
Friday night in Italy, early-to-mid afternoon in the U.S., February 6, 2026.

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