Frank Rondel
The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to begin in the picturesque Alps of Northern Italy this Friday, marking the first time the Games will take place across four separate locations: Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno, reports customreceipt.com, via The New York Times. Unlike previous Winter Games in Pyeongchang in 2018 and Beijing in 2022, which relied heavily on artificial snow, Northern Italy offers natural, iconic winter sports settings familiar to athletes and fans alike.
The opening ceremonies will start at 2 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. local time in Italy) and are expected to last approximately three hours. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the events live in the United States, with a replay at 8 p.m. All live streams will be accessible on mobile and tablet devices through the NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports apps. International audiences can tune in via broadcasters including HBO Max in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, and Sweden, the BBC in the United Kingdom, and CBC in Canada.
For the first time in Olympic history, two cauldrons will be lit simultaneously: one at Milan’s Arco della Pace, a 19th-century triumphal arch, and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Piazza Dibona, a central cobbled square. The simultaneous lighting symbolizes the dialogue between different regions hosting the Games. Both cauldrons were designed with inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s intricate knot engravings, reflecting harmony between nature and human ingenuity and honoring the artist’s 17-year residence in Milan.
Athletes will also participate in parades across all four venues. The opening ceremonies will feature performances by global star Mariah Carey, Italian pop icon Laura Pausini, and renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli. Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, recognized for her role in the second season of “The White Lotus,” will also appear.
Several athletes are expected to draw particular attention. The U.S. women’s figure skating team hopes to break a 20-year Olympic medal drought, led by 20-year-old Alysa Liu and 26-year-old Amber Glenn. Ilia Malinin, a 21-year-old American figure skater, is aiming to capture gold with the quad axel, a move no other competitor has landed in Olympic competition.
The U.S. ski and snowboard rosters feature veterans including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Jessie Diggins. Vonn, 41, returned from a five-year retirement in November 2024 after knee surgery and continues to be a strong medal contender. Speedskater Jordan Stolz, 21, is expected to compete for gold in all four of his events, building on multiple world championships in 500-meter, 1,000-meter, 1,500-meter, and mass start races.
Earlier we wrote that Gus Malzahn Retires After 35 Years, Tim Harris Promoted to Lead Florida State Offense in 2026