The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off on Friday, with the opening ceremonies set to start in northern Italy at 2:00 p.m. ET. This is the first time in Olympic history that two cities have been officially named as co-hosts: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The decision comes after widespread protests in both the United States and Milan over the presence and conduct of ICE agents.

NBC has announced a replacement for Savannah Guthrie as co-host for its opening ceremony coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The announcement was made while the search for Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, remains ongoing.

The decorated alpine racer will attempt her fifth Winter Games after crashing at a World Cup downhill event in Switzerland.

MILAN (AP) — Staging future Winter Games as early as January and the Paralympic Winter Games in February is a possibility because of the effects of warmer temperatures, the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday.

Cities currently suitable to host the Winter Games may not be by the 2050s.

From the Cascades to the Italian Alps, four Oregon athletes are headed to the 2026 Winter Olympics. The two skiers and two snowboarders are among more than 230 Team USA athletes who will be competing when the Olympics begin Friday in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Tate McRae’s collaboration with NBC and Peacock to promote the network’s 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony broadcast and Team USA has drawn backlash from Canadian fans.