The question what sports are in the Winter Olympics 2026 is top of mind as Team USA and global fans prepare for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, scheduled for February 6–22, 2026. The upcoming Winter Olympics will feature 16 sports and a total of 116 medal events, including the historic Olympic debut of ski mountaineering.
Hosted across northern Italy, the 2026 Winter Games will take place in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme. Nearly 90 nations are expected to compete, bringing together the world’s top winter athletes for more than two weeks of competition on snow and ice.
Below is the full, verified list of sports included in the 2026 Winter Olympic program.
Table of Contents
Complete List of Winter Olympic Sports in 2026
The Milano-Cortina Games will include the following 16 sports:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboarding
- Speed Skating
Each sport includes multiple medal events for men and women, and several disciplines also feature mixed-gender competitions.
Snow and Alpine Sports
Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing remains one of the marquee events of the Winter Games. Athletes compete in downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and alpine combined. These events test speed, technical skill, and control on steep mountain courses.
Biathlon
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Competitors must balance endurance and precision, as missed targets result in time penalties. Events include sprint, pursuit, individual, relay, and mixed relay races.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing features endurance races and sprint competitions across varying distances. In 2026, men and women will compete in equal race distances, marking an important step in Olympic gender equality.
Ski Jumping
Ski jumping challenges athletes to soar off large ramps and land smoothly while achieving maximum distance. Both individual and team events will be contested.
Nordic Combined
Nordic combined merges ski jumping and cross-country skiing into a single competition. Athletes first jump for distance and then race in a cross-country event, with start times determined by jump performance.
Ski Mountaineering (Olympic Debut)
Ski mountaineering will make its first Olympic appearance in 2026. The sport involves uphill climbing using specialized skis and bindings, followed by fast downhill descents. Its addition marks the first new Winter Olympic sport in more than two decades.
Ice and Indoor Sports
Figure Skating
Figure skating blends athleticism and artistry. Events include men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, ice dance, and the team competition. It remains one of the most watched Winter Olympic sports in the United States.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey features fast-paced team competition in both men’s and women’s tournaments. The sport continues to be a major highlight for American audiences.
Curling
Curling requires strategy, teamwork, and precision. Teams slide granite stones across the ice toward a target area, scoring points based on stone placement. Men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events are scheduled.
Short Track Speed Skating
Short track races take place on a smaller oval rink, creating tight turns and close finishes. Multiple distances and relay events will be featured.
Speed Skating
Speed skating occurs on a 400-meter oval track. Athletes compete individually over distances ranging from sprint events to long-distance races, along with team pursuits.
Sliding Sports
Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh teams race down an icy track in two- or four-person sleds. Success depends on explosive starts and precise steering through banked curves.
Skeleton
Skeleton athletes race head-first down the same type of sliding track used in bobsleigh and luge. Competitors rely on aerodynamic body positioning and split-second control.
Luge
Luge athletes lie on their backs while steering sleds with subtle body movements. Events include singles, doubles, and team relay competitions.
Freestyle and Action Sports
Freestyle Skiing
Freestyle skiing includes moguls, aerials, ski cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. These events combine acrobatics, speed, and creativity.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding features parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. The sport continues to attract a younger generation of fans and competitors.
Total Medal Events and Structure
The 2026 Winter Olympics will award 116 gold medals across all sports. This represents one of the largest Winter Olympic programs in history. Several sports include mixed-gender events, reflecting the International Olympic Committee’s push for greater gender balance.
The addition of ski mountaineering adds fresh excitement to the lineup. At the same time, traditional sports like figure skating, alpine skiing, and ice hockey remain central attractions for U.S. viewers.
Why the 2026 Sports Lineup Matters for U.S. Fans
American athletes have historically excelled in sports such as snowboarding, freestyle skiing, figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey. With 16 sports on the schedule, Team USA will compete for medals across a broad range of disciplines.
Understanding what sports are in the Winter Olympics 2026 helps fans plan their viewing schedules and follow specific events where U.S. athletes are strong contenders. The variety of sports ensures daily action from early morning through prime time broadcasts.
From the technical precision of curling to the high-altitude intensity of alpine skiing, the 2026 Games promise nonstop competition.
Final Word
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will showcase 16 sports, 116 medal events, and the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering, offering American fans a wide range of thrilling competitions on snow and ice.
Which Winter Olympic sport are you most excited to watch in 2026? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more updates as the Games approach.
