Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026: How to watch all the action on TNT Sports and the BBC, available on Virgin Media

Some of the world’s finest athletes gather in Italy this February for the quadrennial celebration of cold-weather sports. The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 marks the first time this event has had two official host venues, with the skating events staged in Milan and the others held in a number of venues around the Dolomites resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the north-east of the country.  The event promises to be a magnificent extravaganza of global sport as almost 3,000 competitors from 91 nations take to the snow and ice to demonstrate their amazing strength, speed and skill.

You can catch all the best live action and highlights every day on TNT Sports which has three channels dedicated to Milano Cortina 2026 and plenty more live action including some in super-sharp ultra HD, while there’s also coverage available on BBC TV channels and BBC iPlayer. You can also watch the opening ceremony, taking place at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium and featuring a performance from actual Mariah Carey, live on Friday 6 February.

There’s absolutely loads of live coverage across TNT Sports, which is the rights holder and main broadcaster of the Olympic Winter Games, and is available on Virgin Media. And the good news is that after two successive Winter Olympics in east Asia, the events in 2026 are at far more friendly European times. TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522) will be entirely given over to the Olympic Winter Games during the event, bringing you round-the-clock coverage of the premium events, and there will also be live action on TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523), TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524) and in ultra HD on TNT Sports Ultimate (CH 525).

Not only that, but TNT Sports has two pop-up channels for the duration of Milano Cortina 2026, available to anyone who has Discovery in their TV package. TNT Sports Olympics 1 HD (CH 140/527) will bring you the best coverage from the most exciting sports at the Olympics, while TNT Sports Olympics 2 HD (CH 141/528) will focus on British athletes, so you can cheer them on from home.

There will also be live daily coverage on BBC One HD (CH 101) and BBC Two HD (CH 102). The BBC is able to show two live sports at once, so go to Apps > BBC iPlayer for an alternative to the live TV coverage. BBC iPlayer will also have an Olympics Extra channel where you can catch up with all the sports.

There are 116 medal events in 16 disciplines, with a new sport for Milano Cortina 2026 – ski mountaineering (see below) – as well as the addition of several new formats such as mixed team skeleton, women’s doubles in luge and large hill ski jumping in the women’s and men’s super team events. This is also the most gender-balanced Winter Olympics ever: 47% of the participating athletes are women.

As with the Summer Games, the Winter Olympics is a perfect opportunity to get really invested in an esoteric sport you normally spend very little time watching. But if you’re not a winter sports aficionado, it’s not always easy to know what’s going on. So here’s our guide to all the sports, with some handy hints to help you pick the ones that might appeal to you the most…

This is the classic “speed down a slope fixed to two narrow planks” sport, the kind you’ve done if you’ve ever been on a standard ski holiday, albeit much, much faster. There are several varieties at the Winter Olympics: downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom (aka super-G) and combined. Downhill is all about speed, with skiers reaching speeds of over 80mph, while the slaloms are more technical as competitors weave through gates.

Who are the favourites? Clément Noël, France’s slalom gold medallist from 2022, is among the leading contenders again following some excellent World Cup results, while women’s downhill ace Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway says Cortina is her favourite place to compete. France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland all have strong Alpine teams (to no one’s surprise) but the romantics will be cheering for 41-year-old US ski racer Lindsey Vonn, who’s been competing at the Olympic Winter Games since 2002.

Any British medal hopes? Dave Ryding is one of the all-time great British skiers and an Olympic medal in the 39-year-old’s final Games would put the seal on his marvellous career.

When is it on? 7-12, 14-16 and 18 February.

Perfect for fans of… rugby, where you can also watch athletes weave from side to side at speed while laser-focused on reaching the goal.

The Norse god Ullr was the god of both skiing and hunting, and he is honoured in this sport that originated in Scandinavia and involves travelling on skis with breaks where competitors shoot at targets. The 11 disciplines include sprint, pursuit and relay events.

Who are the favourites? The Norwegians are the dominant nation in biathlon and cleaned up in 2022, when Johannes Thingnes Bø and Marte Olsbu Røiseland claimed four medals each. Expect similar success this time, although the home nation has high hopes for newcomer Tommaso Giacomel, Lisa Vittozzi and three-time medallist Dorothea Wierer, who is planning to retire after this winter sports season.

Any British medal hopes? There are no biathletes in Team GB this time.

When is it on? 8, 10-11, 13-15, 17-18 and 20-21 February.

Perfect for fans of… cricket, a sport that requires superb hand-eye coordination and also has long periods where not much appears to be happening.

In this thrilling high-speed event, athletes use phenomenal leg strength to get their bobsleigh going then jump in and hang on as it whizzes down an icy track at death-defying speeds. There are four disciplines: four-man, two-woman and two-man bob, and women’s monobob (one-person bobsleigh).

Who are the favourites? Yes, it’s the one from Cool Runnings. No, Jamaica are not among the favourites. Germany tend to dominate bobsleigh and in the men’s competition, it would be extraordinary if Francesco Friedrich and Johannes Lochner don’t come away with multiple medals. It’s touch and go between Germany and the US in the women’s, where the Americans are particularly strong in monobob (gold and silver in 2022).

Any British medal hopes? GB’s four finished a creditable sixth in Beijing 2022, and they’re back in 2026: Brad Hall, Taylor Lawrence, Leon Greenwood and Greg Cackett make up the team, with Hall and Lawrence also going in the two-man bob. Shot putter Adele Nicoll is GB’s first ever monobob participant.

When is it on? 15-17 and 20-22 February.

Perfect for fans of… Formula One – with high-tech aerodynamic vehicles zooming along the track at barely believable speeds, it’s definitely the F1 of winter sports.

Also known as Nordic skiing (not to be confused with Nordic Combined – see below), this is a straightforward race where competitors strive to get to the finish line first. There are 12 different disciplines, but that’s the essence of it.

Who are the favourites? The Norwegians cleaned up at Beijing 2022 but the retirement of Therese Johaug opens the door for other women such as US veteran Jessie Diggins and Sweden’s Jonna Sundling. In the men’s, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo will be the favourite across multiple events, but Italy flag-bearer Federico Pellegrino will have the most fervent support as the double silver medallist aims to secure a gold in his fourth and final Olympic Winter Games.

Any British medal hopes? Scottish skier Andrew Musgrave has been a true pioneer for GB in this discipline and aims to be at his fifth Games in Milano Cortina, having finished 12th in freestyle in Beijing 2022.

When is it on? 7-8, 10, 12-15, 18 and 21-22 February.

Perfect for fans of… long-distance running events that let you pop to the kitchen to make multiple cups of tea without missing much.

It’s bowls on ice, characterised by the frantic scrubbing employed to speed up the competitors’ stones as they slide towards the target, and it’s the only sport at the Olympic Winter Games that was invented in the UK (dating back to 16th-century Scotland).

Who are the favourites? Sweden were the only country to medal in every event – men’s, women’s and mixed doubles – at Beijing 2022, and they also won men’s and women’s gold at the recent European Championships. Skips Niklas Edin and Anna Hasselborg are legends of the game.

Any British medal hopes? A big yes. The Swedes may be Euro champs, but skip Bruce Mouat led Scotland’s men to World Championship gold in 2025, and he heads a superb GB team at Milano Cortina 2026. Celebrated women’s skip Eve Muirhead retired following a glorious gold in Beijing and is now the Team GB chef de mission; Sophie Jackson has taken over the captaincy.

When is it on? Every day from 4 February (before the opening ceremony) to 22 February.

Perfect for fans of… indoor sports that require supreme concentration, like darts and snooker. Also housework.

Arguably the most dramatic of all the sports at the Games and certainly the longest established. The eye-catching costumes, gasp-inducing manoeuvres and occasionally volatile rivalries of figure skating are unlike anything else.

Who are the favourites? The US dominated the singles in last year’s World Championships, and Ilia Malinin and Alysa Liu will be heavy favourites for Olympic gold. The Americans will face a serious challenge from Japan, who finished just two points behind them in the team event last time, and are led by by double silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama.

Any British medal hopes? Beijing entrants Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson return with much more experience and a pair of Grand Prix Final medals, as well as a bronze from the recent European Championships in Sheffield – their Spice Girls-inspired routines could put them in the ice dance medal mix. GB has an eight-strong team for this event including Kristen Spours in the women’s singles.

When is it on? 6-11, 13, 15-17 and 19 February.

Perfect for fans of… actually, you don’t even need to like sport to appreciate the skill, athleticism and artistry shown by figure skaters. They’re a blummin’ marvel.

The gnarlier side of skiing, where instead of speeding down a mountain, competitors tackle challenges including moguls, halfpipes and slopestyle (rails, jumps and the like). Introduced at Beijing 2022 was big air, which means shooting off a ski jump to perform frankly bonkers aerial tricks.

Who are the favourites? There was a shock at Beijing 2022 when mogul king Mikaël Kingsbury of Canada failed to defend his title, claiming only a silver – he’ll be back to try to correct that in 2026. California-born Chinese athlete Eileen Gu will be aiming to add to her 2022 big air and halfpipe golds, while Beijing gold medallist Alex Hall of the US returns on the hunt for more slopestyle glory. And look out for the design of the slopestyle course, which is usually striking.

Any British medal hopes? After Izzy Atkin became the first British athlete to win a skiing Olympic medal in 2018, her sister Zoe will be trying to follow in her footsteps in the halfpipe. Freeskier Kirsty Muir claimed a big air World Cup gold medal in 2025 to put her among the elite.

When is it on? 7, 9-12 and 14-21 February.

Perfect for fans of… sports that involve throwing yourself up in the air in a theatrical style, then making sure you hit the ground without really hurting yourself. Insert your own football joke here.

Everyone’s favourite rough-and-tumble ice-based sport in which some well-padded skaters try to smack a small disc of vulcanised rubber into a goal and everyone secretly hopes for a fight. After the success of racy hit TV show Heated Rivalry, expect plenty of focus on this event.

Who are the favourites? In women’s ice hockey, every final at the Winter Olympics except one has been contested by the USA and Canada, and the Canadians lead that rivalry 5-2 following gold at Beijing 2022. However, the men’s category saw a shock last time around as neither of the North American powerhouses won a medal, and Finland pulled off a brilliant victory to add men’s gold to their women’s bronze. Could they be the new leaders in this sport?

Any British medal hopes? GB haven’t entered a team since 1948.

When is it on? Every day from 5 to 22 February.

Perfect for fans of… basketball, another end-to-end North American indoor team sport in which the action can be almost too fast to follow. Especially if you always thought that what basketball really needed was a few more punch-ups.

These are similar to bobsleigh but the sled is flatter and more basic, with steering done using the legs. The main difference is that athletes lie face up on the luge and go feet first, while on the skeleton sled they’re face down and head first. Luge also has a doubles category.

Who are the favourites? When it comes to the sliding sports, Germany: they won all four luge golds and both gold medals in the skeleton in 2022. In the luge, Germany’s Felix Loch, now a three-time Olympic champion, and multiple World Champion Julia Taubitz, are expected to add to their hauls, although Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller is one to watch and may see the home nation grab a medal here.

Any British medal hopes? The skeleton may see a GB medal with both Matt Weston, who claimed his second European title in St Moritz in early January, and Tabby Stoecker very strong contenders. Marcus Wyatt is expected to compete in the skeleton too, and GB has a storied history in the event – so could the three be about to write a new chapter at Milano Cortina?

When is it on? The luge runs from 4-12 February, with the skeleton following on 9-15.

Perfect for fans of… MotoGP racing – the high-speed thrills of motor racing, but with the racers more exposed and liable to fly off on the bends.

A two-for-one event: a spot of ski jumping (see below) followed by a bit – well, 10km – of cross-country skiing (see above). It was invented by the Norwegians, who often have to ski for miles and jump off a big hill just to get to the shops.

Who are the favourites? Norway dominated for years (as you’d expect), but these days Austria and Germany have top teams too. The retirements of Norwegian stars Jarl Magnus Riiber and Jørgen Graabak means the field is wide open at Milano Cortina. Austria’s Johannes Lamparter and Germany’s Julian Schmid and Vinzenz Geiger are expected to stake their claim for the big prizes, but don’t rule out a Norse charge in the form of recent World Cup winner Einar Lurås Oftebro. This is the sole event that is contested only by men.

Any British medal hopes? No – GB haven’t entered this event.

When is it on? 9-11, 13, 15-19 February.

Perfect for fans of… multi-skilled competitors like pentathletes, heptathletes, decathletes and Dame Sarah Storey.

Slide down a slope, fly off a ramp, land. It’s arguably the purest of all the Winter Olympics sports, although being judged for style adds some intrigue. There are six golds awarded, including four individuals for large and “normal” hills, alongside two team events.

Who are the favourites? Last year’s Austrian sportsman of the year Daniel Tschofenig will be looking to start 2026 in a similar manner with a win at Milano Cortina. His strongest competition will come from his countrymen like Olympic men’s team gold medallist Stefan Kraft and fellow Olympic gold medallist Jan Hörl, but all three should be wary of Slovenian star Domen Prevc. Meanwhile, Nika Prevc – yes, Domen’s little sister – is the dominant force in women’s ski jumping. Already one of the most decorated female ski jumpers of all time, she makes her Olympic debut here.

Any British medal hopes? No GB athletes in this event, so any “Eddie the Eagle” moments will have to come from elsewhere.

When is it on? 5-10, 12-16 February.

Perfect for fans of… sports that involve gravity-defying audacity, like diving and gymnastics.

Milano Cortina 2026 adds this sport to the Olympic Winter Games for the first time. It’s as challenging as it sounds, with ascents, descents and the athletes’ skis coming off at different points… but on purpose, as they have to do some of the course on foot. With a sprint and relay, it’s your new favourite winter sport.

Who are the favourites? While it’s a new sport for the Winter Olympics, it’s by no means a new sport. France’s Emily Harrop has been dominant in the sport for some time, but Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton will be hot on her tail in Italy and should be her toughest competition at Milano Cortina. Meanwhile Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll is expected to lead the charge for gold in the men’s sprint.

Any British medal hopes? GB are not competing at this event.

When is it on? 19 and 21 February.

Perfect for fans of… Triathlon. With its quick changes, the multi-disciplinary SkiMo (as it’s genuinely abbreviated to) is a tactical showcase of speed and explosiveness, but can be all over if you mess up your gear change.

The cool kids of the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina suit up to compete in slopestyle, parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross, halfpipe and big air. One thing you get with snowboarding that you don’t see elsewhere on the slopes is head-to-head racing, which is always fun with its added element of risk.

Who are the favourites? History was on the cards for double Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Chloe Kim with the chance to become the first woman to win three consecutive halfpipe gold medals. But the American has been injured in training. She may still make Milano Cortina, but time is not on her side. Elsewhere, look out for Canada’s Anna Gasser, New Zealander Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and the US’s Red Gerard, an early qualifier and owner of possibly the most American name of all time.

Any British medal hopes? Mia Brookes, who was just 15 when Beijing 2022 rolled around, is one of Britain’s most exciting Olympic debutants at Milano Cortina, having claimed world titles, big air crystal globes and multiple X Games medals. It’s a tough field, but Brookes is a real contender.

When is it on? 5, 7-9, 11-13 and 15-18 February.

Perfect for fans of… skateboarding, because it’s that, but, y’know, on snow.

There are 23 speed skating events at Milano Cortina 2026, covering both short and long track versions, ranging from 500m all the way up to 10,000m. If you’re a fan of spectacular wipeouts on the ice – and let’s face it, who isn’t – you’ll find a fair few here.

Who are the favourites? American speed skating prodigy Jordan Stolz, 21, is the one to beat on the short track, described as “unbeatable” over the past two seasons. His competition is likely to come from the Netherlands – the Dutch are seriously into their speed skating – with Jenning de Boo forging the rivalry on the ice. It’s a similar story in the women’s events, with the US’s reigning Olympic champion Erin Jackson taking on the recently-crowned world record holder Femke Kok of the Netherlands in the 500m. It’s set to be a fast and furious competition.

Any British medal hopes? Outside chances, perhaps. GB have picked only one short track speed skater in 25-year-old Niall Treacy, competing in his second Olympics and taking on the men’s 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m, while Ellia Smeding, 27, will be participating in  the women’s 1,000m and 1,500m.

When is it on? 5-21 February.

Perfect for fans of… cycling, another sport that involves racing at high speeds over long and short courses while wearing sleek suits and helmets that are both aerodynamic and extremely stylish.