You can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony live or on replay through NBC and Peacock, with both daytime and primetime options available in the U.S.

Quick Scoop

Key details (U.S.)

  • Date: Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • Live start time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
  • Primetime rebroadcast: 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
  • TV channel: NBC (your local NBC station).
  • Streaming: Peacock, plus authenticated streaming via NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app if you have a TV provider.
  • Venue: San Siro Stadium, Milan, part of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Expected duration: About three hours.

How to watch live (step‑by‑step)

1. If you have cable/satellite or live TV

  1. Turn on your TV shortly before 2 p.m. ET.
  2. Tune to your local NBC channel; live coverage of the Opening Ceremony begins then.
  1. If you miss the start, stay on NBC for replays and highlights, or catch the primetime “enhanced encore” at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

You can also log in with your TV provider to stream on:

  • NBCOlympics.com
  • NBC.com
  • NBC app
  • NBC Sports app.

2. If you do NOT have traditional TV

  1. Subscribe to Peacock (Premium) ahead of the ceremony.
  1. On February 6, open the Peacock app or go to PeacockTV.com and find the Olympics section.
  1. Start the live Opening Ceremony stream at 2 p.m. ET, or watch the primetime replay at 8 p.m. ET.

Many cord‑cutters also use live‑TV streaming bundles (in markets where available) that carry NBC, then use the same timing: 2 p.m. ET live, 8 p.m. ET encore.

Outside the U.S. (general pointers)

Exact channels depend on your country, but typical official broadcasters include:

  • Europe: Public broadcasters and Eurosport (often via Discovery‑owned platforms).
  • UK: Traditionally the BBC or rights‑holding partners.
  • Canada: Past viewers mention CBC coverage and sometimes replays; some people report using VPNs to access U.S. or Canadian streams when local options are limited.

If you’re not in the U.S.:

  • Check your national broadcaster’s Olympics page a few days before the ceremony.
  • Look for official Olympic streaming on their site or app.
  • Avoid random re‑uploads; full ceremonies often appear much later or are geo‑blocked due to rights.

Watching reruns & highlights

If you miss it live:

  • Primetime replay: Enhanced encore on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT the same night, also on Peacock.
  • On‑demand: Peacock will typically host rewatch options and highlight cuts from the ceremony and events.
  • Official uploads: Olympic channels and major broadcasters (NBC, BBC, Eurosport, etc.) often post highlight reels and key moments on their sites or YouTube, rather than the full uninterrupted broadcast right away.

Forum users note that full replays can be tricky to find in some regions and may require using the official broadcaster’s app or a VPN to access a different national feed.

Important legal note for creators

If you’re thinking of restreaming:

  • Directly streaming the broadcast (screen‑capturing NBC/Peacock or another official feed) on your own channel will likely violate licensing and get taken down.
  • Safer formats: Live commentary, reaction streams, or discussion shows where viewers watch via the official broadcast on their own devices while you provide talk‑over and analysis.

Mini FAQ

How to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony for free?

  • Use an over‑the‑air antenna to get NBC if you’re in a U.S. market with good reception, then watch live at 2 p.m. ET or the primetime encore at 8 p.m. ET.

Can I watch it later that weekend?

  • Yes, between replays on NBC, Peacock’s on‑demand coverage, and official highlight packages, you’ll have multiple chances after the live broadcast.

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