The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have officially roared to life. While the world waits for the flair of the Opening Ceremony this Friday, the competitive fire was lit today, February 4, 2026, with the first preliminary rounds.
Starting two days before the cauldron is lit at San Siro, these “early start” sessions are vital for sports with dense round-robin schedules, ensuring every stone is thrown and every puck is dropped on time for the 19-day marathon.
Day 0: The First Stones & Puck Drops
The action today is centered in the historic mountain hub of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the sleek arenas of Milan.
Curling (Mixed Doubles): The very first “Live” action of the Games began at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium—a venue with deep history, having hosted events during the 1956 Winter Olympics. The opening session featured four mixed doubles matches, including a high-stakes clash between Great Britain and Norway.
Women’s Ice Hockey: Preliminary Group B play began today at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Early matchups include Sweden vs. Germany and host-nation Italy vs. France, as teams fight for early positioning in a tournament dominated by the perennial North American rivalry.
Alpine Skiing (Training): While not for medals, the first official training runs for the Men’s Downhill were held today at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio. These high-speed sessions are the athletes’ first real chance to “read” one of the world’s most difficult slopes before the first gold medal is awarded this Saturday.
The Road to Friday: What’s Next?
The momentum builds steadily over the next 48 hours as more disciplines join the fray.
| Date | Key Preliminary Action | Venue |
| Feb 4 (Today) | Mixed Doubles Curling; Women’s Hockey (Group B) | Cortina & Milan |
| Feb 5 (Thurs) | Women’s Hockey (Group A debut: USA/Canada); Snowboard Big Air Qualifiers | Milan & Livigno |
| Feb 6 (Fri) | Opening Ceremony (20:00 CET / 2:00 PM ET) | San Siro Stadium |
| Feb 7 (Sat) | First Gold Medals: Men’s Downhill; Speed Skating (Women’s 3000m) | Bormio & Milan |
The Opening Ceremony: “Harmony”
Scheduled for Friday evening at 8:00 PM local time, the ceremony is titled “Harmony” (Armonia). It will highlight the duality of the 2026 Games: the urban energy of Milan and the natural majesty of the Dolomites.
Star Power: Expect performances from Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, and Mariah Carey.
Dual Cauldrons: In a historical first, the Olympic flame will be lit at two primary sites simultaneously to symbolize the co-hosting partnership between the two cities.
“The road to Olympic glory starts today. Every stone thrown this afternoon carries four years of sacrifice and the hope of a nation.” — Milano Cortina Organizing Committee, Feb 4, 2026
