Team USA Schedule at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Full Competition Calendar, Key Events, and How to Follow

Full Schedule - Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano-Cortina 2026, will take place in Italy from February 6 to February 22, 2026. For American viewers, the Games offer nearly three weeks of nonstop winter sports, with Team USA competing across almost every discipline, from ice hockey and figure skating to alpine skiing, snowboarding, and speed skating.

Understanding the Schedule and Time Zones

Italy operates on Central European Time (CET), which is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. As a result:

• Morning events in Italy often air overnight or early morning in the U.S.

• Afternoon and evening competitions in Italy typically air late morning to mid-afternoon ET, which is prime viewing time for American audiences.

• Many marquee events will be replayed during U.S. prime time on tape delay.

Read more: When Do Team USA Events Air in the U.S.? Winter Olympics 2026 Time Guide

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

• Opening Ceremony

  • Date: Friday, February 6

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. local, Milan)

  • Venue: San Siro Stadium, Milan

  • Team USA will parade early due to alphabetical order in Italian.

• Closing Ceremony

  • Date: Sunday, February 22

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. ET

  • Venue: Cortina d’Ampezzo

Ice Hockey: One of Team USA’s Flagship Sports

Women’s Ice Hockey

• Preliminary Round: February 5–10

• Quarterfinals: February 13

• Semifinals: February 16

• Gold Medal Game: February 18

Team USA Women traditionally open the Olympic tournament early, even before the Opening Ceremony. Most games are expected to start between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ET, making them among the most accessible live events for U.S. fans.

Men’s Ice Hockey

• Group Stage: February 11–16

• Quarterfinals: February 18

• Semifinals: February 20

• Gold Medal Game: February 22

Men’s games are often scheduled later in the day locally, translating to afternoon and early-evening ET broadcasts in the U.S.

Figure Skating: High-Profile Medal Opportunities

Figure skating remains one of Team USA’s most watched Olympic sports.

• Team Event: February 6–8

• Men’s Singles: Short Program (Feb 10), Free Skate (Feb 12)

• Women’s Singles: Short Program (Feb 11), Free Skate (Feb 13)

• Pairs: February 14–15

• Ice Dance: February 16–17

Most figure skating sessions begin mid-day ET, with medal events frequently airing live or near-live in the U.S.

Alpine Skiing: Speed and Technical Events

Held primarily in Cortina d’Ampezzo, alpine skiing spans the entire Games.

• Men’s Downhill: February 7 (early morning ET)

• Women’s Downhill: February 8

• Super-G Events: February 9–10

• Giant Slalom: February 13–14

• Slalom: February 15–16

• Team Parallel: February 18

Downhill and Super-G races usually air between 4:00–7:00 a.m. ET, while technical events may start slightly later.

Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing

These disciplines generate strong medal potential and younger viewership.

Snowboarding

• Slopestyle: February 8–9

• Halfpipe: February 11–12

• Big Air: February 14–15

• Parallel Giant Slalom: February 18–19

Freestyle Skiing

• Moguls: February 7–8

• Aerials: February 10–11

• Ski Cross: February 14

• Halfpipe and Slopestyle: February 16–18

Most finals occur late morning or early afternoon ET, ideal for live viewing.

Speed Skating and Short Track

Long Track Speed Skating

• Competition Dates: February 7–19

• Distances are spread out with medal races almost every other day.

• Typical start times range from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET.

Short Track Speed Skating

• Competition Dates: February 8–16

• Includes relays and individual sprint distances.

• Finals are often scheduled for midday ET.

Bobsled, Skeleton, and Luge

These sliding sports take place at venues near Cortina.

• Luge: February 7–11

• Skeleton: February 12–13

• Bobsled: February 14–21

Heats usually run in the early morning ET, with medal runs replayed later in the day.

Curling

Curling is one of the longest-running competitions.

• Round Robin Play: February 6–15

• Semifinals: February 17

• Medal Matches: February 18–19

Matches are staggered throughout the day, typically morning and afternoon ET.

Nordic Sports: Cross-Country, Biathlon, Nordic Combined

• Cross-Country Skiing: February 7–21

• Biathlon: February 8–20

• Nordic Combined: February 9–18

These events often start early, around 3:00–6:00 a.m. ET, but are heavily featured in daily highlight coverage.

How to Watch Team USA in the U.S.

American viewers can follow Team USA through:

• NBC for marquee events and prime-time coverage

• USA Network and CNBC for live daytime events

• Peacock for full live streaming, replays, and multi-event viewing

• NBCOlympics.com and NBC Sports apps with TV provider login

Peacock offers the most comprehensive option, allowing fans to watch nearly every Team USA event live regardless of start time.

Key Viewing Tips for U.S. Fans

• Expect early mornings for alpine skiing and Nordic sports.

• Figure skating, hockey, and freestyle events are generally U.S.-friendly in timing.

• Prime-time broadcasts often combine highlights from multiple events rather than showing full competitions live.

• Medal events are frequently replayed with enhanced commentary for American audiences.

Final Takeaway

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina present one of the most viewer-friendly Winter Games in years for U.S. audiences, thanks to manageable time differences and extensive streaming options. With Team USA competing daily from February 5 through February 22, fans can expect a packed schedule across ice, snow, and sliding sports.

Whether you plan to watch live before work, stream events on demand, or follow nightly recaps, understanding the Team USA schedule by sport and date is the best way to stay connected to every medal moment in Italy.

FAQs: Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics

When do Team USA athletes begin competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Some Team USA events begin before the Opening Ceremony. Women’s ice hockey and select preliminary competitions are scheduled to start as early as February 5, one day before the official opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

What time will Team USA events air in the United States?

Italy is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time (ET). As a result:

• Morning events in Italy usually air overnight or early morning ET

• Afternoon events in Italy air late morning to early afternoon ET

• Many marquee events are replayed during U.S. prime time

Which Team USA sports are most U.S.-friendly for live viewing?

For American viewers, the most convenient sports to watch live typically include:

• Figure skating

• Ice hockey

• Freestyle skiing

• Snowboarding

• Short track speed skating

These events are often scheduled during midday or afternoon ET.

What are Team USA’s best medal opportunities in 2026?

Historically strong medal sports for Team USA include:

• Figure skating

• Snowboarding

• Freestyle skiing

• Speed skating

• Women’s ice hockey

These events are spread throughout the Games, providing medal chances almost daily.

How long does Team USA compete during the Winter Olympics?

Team USA athletes compete across the entire Olympic schedule, from February 5 through February 22, with events happening every day once competition begins.

Where can I watch Team USA events live in the U.S.?

U.S. viewers can watch Team USA through:

• NBC (major events and prime time coverage)

• USA Network and CNBC (live daytime events)

• Peacock (full live streaming and replays)

• NBCOlympics.com and NBC Sports apps (with TV provider login)

Peacock offers the most complete access to live Team USA competitions.

Can I watch Team USA events on demand if I miss them live?

Yes. Most Team USA events are available on-demand via Peacock and NBC’s digital platforms shortly after they conclude, including full replays and highlight packages.

Will Team USA athletes compete in every winter sport?

Team USA competes in nearly all Olympic winter sports, though participation can vary slightly by discipline depending on qualification and roster selection. The U.S. traditionally fields one of the largest delegations at the Winter Games.

Are Team USA schedules finalized before the Games begin?

The sport-by-sport framework is finalized in advance, but exact start times and matchups may change due to weather, seeding, or tournament results. Fans should check daily schedules during the Games.

What is the best way to follow Team USA daily?

For the most accurate, real-time updates:

• Follow official Olympic and Team USA digital platforms

• Use Peacock’s live event hub

• Check daily schedule listings each morning (ET)

This ensures you don’t miss early-morning medal events or schedule changes.