The next Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026) officially run from 6 February to 22 February 2026, with some events starting earlier on 4 February 2026.

Quick Scoop: When do the Winter Olympics begin?

  • The official start date of the 2026 Winter Olympics is 6 February 2026 , which is the day of the Opening Ceremony.
  • The official end date is 22 February 2026.
  • Some competitions begin early , from 4 February 2026 , before the Opening Ceremony (for example in curling and ice hockey).

So if you’re thinking in terms of “when the Winter Olympics begin” as an event on TV and social media, most people will refer to 6 February 2026 as the start, but early-round events will already be underway from 4 February.

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