where to watch winter olympics 2026 for free
You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano–Cortina) for free in several countries via official broadcasters’ streaming apps, plus short free trials and over‑the‑air TV in others.
Key free options by country
Official dates: February 6–22, 2026.
If you’re in the UK
- BBC TV and BBC iPlayer will carry extensive free coverage.
- You just need a TV licence and a free BBC account to stream live and on demand.
If you’re in Canada
- CBC/Radio‑Canada will stream events free on CBC Gem and other CBC platforms (with ads).
- Create a free CBC Gem account, then watch live channels and Olympic replays.
If you’re in Australia
- 9Now (Nine Network’s streaming service) is expected to show free live coverage and replays.
- Sign up for a free 9Now account and stream via app or browser.
If you’re in Ireland
- RTÉ will offer free coverage through RTÉ Player.
- You can watch live and catch‑up streams via the app/web without a paid subscription.
If you’re in the USA
You can still watch a lot without paying if you plan it right.
1. Free over‑the‑air NBC
- Use a basic TV antenna to pick up your local NBC station and watch all NBC broadcast coverage for free (no monthly fee).
- This typically includes primetime highlights, some live events, and the opening/closing ceremonies.
2. Free trials of live TV streaming
Services that carry NBC, USA Network, and CNBC often run free trials around big events:
- YouTube TV has offered a 21‑day free trial specifically highlighted as a way to watch the Winter Olympics channels without paying, if you cancel before it bills.
- Other services (Hulu + Live TV, Sling, DirecTV Stream) may offer shorter trials or promos; these include NBC and related channels for Olympic coverage.
3. Limited free online coverage
- NBCOlympics.com (and NBC Sports) usually host free highlight clips and some short free streams, though full live coverage typically requires TV‑provider login or a subscription.
Watching from anywhere with free streams
If you’re outside those “lucky” regions (UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland), people commonly use this combo:
- Step 1: Choose a country with a free official stream (e.g., UK – BBC iPlayer; Canada – CBC Gem; Australia – 9Now; Ireland – RTÉ Player).
- Step 2: Connect via a VPN to a server in that country so the site sees you as local.
- Step 3: Create a free account on that service and watch the live coverage and replays.
Tech/streaming sites repeatedly highlight BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, 9Now, and RTÉ Player as the main “watch Winter Olympics 2026 for free” destinations worldwide.
Important: Always check your local laws and each platform’s terms of service before using VPNs or cross‑border streaming; services can block or change access policies at any time.
Simple HTML table of main free options
| Region / Method | Service | What you get for free | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | BBC iPlayer / BBC TV | [1][9]Live streams, replays, highlights | [9][1]Requires free BBC account; TV licence for live viewing | [1][9]
| Canada | CBC Gem | [3][9][1]Live Olympic coverage and on‑demand replays with ads | [9][3]Free account; optional paid tier for fewer ads | [3]
| Australia | 9Now | [1][9][3]Live events and catch‑up coverage | [9][3]Free registration required | [3]
| Ireland | RTÉ Player | [9]Free live and on‑demand coverage | [9]Accessible in Ireland, often geo‑blocked abroad | [9]
| USA – antenna | NBC broadcast channel | [5][7]Primetime shows, ceremonies, selected live events | [5][7]Requires one‑time antenna purchase only | [7][5]
| USA – trials | YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling, DirecTV Stream | [5][7][1]All NBC Olympics channels during free trial | [7][5][1]Must cancel before trial ends to avoid charges | [5][7][1]
| Global (VPN route) | BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, 9Now, RTÉ Player via VPN | [1][3][9]Access to “local” free streams from abroad | [1][3][9]Subject to platform terms; access can be blocked or changed | [7][3]
Quick TL;DR
If you want the simplest answer to “where to watch Winter Olympics 2026 for free”:
- Use BBC iPlayer (UK), CBC Gem (Canada), 9Now (Australia), or RTÉ Player (Ireland) if you’re in those regions.
- In the US, pair a cheap antenna for NBC with a one‑off free trial of a live TV service like YouTube TV to cover the full set of NBC channels.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.