The Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 are finally here, bringing together the world’s best winter athletes for two weeks of unforgettable sporting moments. From alpine skiing and snowboarding to ice hockey, curling, and figure skating, the Winter Olympics remain one of the most exciting global sporting events on the calendar.
For New Zealanders living in Spain, watching the Winter Olympics live can sometimes feel more complicated than it should be. Different broadcasters, geo-blocked streams, and confusing subscription options often stand in the way.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What to expect from the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Key dates and events to watch
- The best ways to watch the Winter Olympics on TV or online
- How Kiwis overseas can stream the Olympics live from anywhere
Milano Cortina 2026: What You Need to Know
The 2026 Winter Olympics are hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, two iconic Italian locations that blend modern city life with world-class alpine scenery.
Key facts:
- Host country: Italy
- Opening Ceremony: Friday 6 February 2026
- Events begin: Wednesday 4 February 2026
- Total events: 116 medal events
- Sports: Skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, bobsleigh, curling, and more
For Kiwis living in Europe, the time difference is ideal. Many events will air during European daytime and evening hours, making it easier to follow the action live without late nights.
Why the Winter Olympics Matter to New Zealanders
While New Zealand isn’t traditionally known as a winter sports powerhouse, Kiwi athletes continue to punch above their weight on the global stage. Events like: Snowboarding, Freestyle skiing, Alpine skiing regularly feature New Zealand competitors, giving expats plenty of reasons to tune in and cheer from abroad.
For many Kiwis living in Spain, the Olympics are also about staying connected to home—watching coverage that feels familiar, with English commentary and trusted broadcasters.
How to Watch the Winter Olympics 2026 on TV and Online
The Challenge of Watching From Spain
If you’re living in Spain, you’ll quickly notice that:
- Local Spanish broadcasters may not show full coverage
- Commentary may be in Spanish only
- Some events may be unavailable or delayed
That’s why many expats choose international streaming services instead.
Watch the Winter Olympics Free via RTVE or with a VPN
One of the easiest and most flexible ways to watch the Winter Olympics is by going to https://www.rtve.es/ or use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Why use ExpressVPN?
- Access free Olympic live streams from other countries
- Works from anywhere in the world, including Spain
- Fast, reliable, and ideal for HD and 4K streaming
- Get 30 days free here >
With ExpressVPN, you can connect to a country where the Winter Olympics are broadcast free-to-air, unlock the stream, and watch live just as if you were back home.
This is particularly useful for Kiwis overseas who want:
- English commentary
- Familiar coverage
- No long-term TV contracts
The full New Zealand schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics (NZT)
Friday, February 6
7.30am: Rocco Jamieson, Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies – men’s snowboard Big Air, 3x qualifying runs
Saturday, February 7
10:30pm: Ruby Star Andrews, Sylvia Trotter – women’s freestyle skiing Slopestyle, 2x qualifying runs
Sunday, February 8
2am: Ben Barclay, Luca Harrington, Lucas Ball – men’s freestyle skiing Slopestyle, 2x qualifying runs
7:30am: Rocco Jamieson, Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies – men’s snowboard Big Air, 3x final runs (if qualified)
Monday, February 9
7:30am: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Lucia Georgalli – women’s snowboard Big Air, 3x qualifying runs
Tuesday, February 10
12:30am: Ruby Star Andrews, Sylvia Trotter – women’s freestyle skiing Slopestyle, 3x final runs (if qualified)
7:30am: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Lucia Georgalli – women’s snowboard Big Air, 3x final runs (if qualified)
Wednesday, February 11
12:30am: Ben Barclay, Luca Harrington, Lucas Ball – men’s freestyle skiing Slopestyle), 3x final runs (if qualified)
Thursday, February 12
7:30am: Cam Melville Ives – men’s snowboard Halfpipe, 2x qualifying runs
11:30pm: Alice Robinson – women’s alpine skiing Super Giant Slalom, final
Saturday, February 14
7:30am: Cam Melville Ives – men’s snowboard Halfpipe, 3x final runs (if qualified)
Sunday, February 15
7:30am: Ruby Star Andrews, Sylvia Trotter – women’s freestyle skiing Big Air, 3x qualifying runs
10pm: Alice Robinson – women’s alpine skiing Giant Slalom, run 1
Monday, February 16
1:30am: Alice Robinson – women’s alpine skiing Giant Slalom, run 2
7:30am: Ben Barclay, Luca Harrington, Lucas Ball – men’s freestyle skiing Big Air, 3x qualifying runs
10:30pm: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Lucia Georgalli – women’s snowboard Slopestyle, 2x qualifying runs
Tuesday, February 17
2am: Rocco Jamieson, Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies – men’s snowboard Slopestyle, 2x qualifying runs
7:30am: Ruby Star Andrews, Sylvia Trotter – women’s freestyle skiing Big Air, 3x final runs (if qualified)
Wednesday, February 18
1am: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Lucia Georgalli – women’s snowboard Slopestyle, 3x final runs (if qualified)
7:30am: Ben Barclay, Luca Harrington, Lucas Ball – men’s freestyle skiing Big Air, 3x final runs (if qualified)
Thursday, February 19
12:30am: Rocco Jamieson, Lyon Farrell, Dane Menzies – men’s snowboard Slopestyle), 3x final runs (if qualified)
10:30pm: Fin Melville Ives, Luke Harrold, Ben Harrington, Gustav Legnavsky – men’s freestyle skiing Halfpipe, 2x qualifying runs
Friday, February 20
7:30am: Mischa Thomas – women’s freestyle skiing Halfpipe, 2x qualifying runs
Saturday, February 21
7:30am: Fin Melville Ives, Luke Harrold, Ben Harrington, Gustav Legnavsky – men’s freestyle skiing Halfpipe (if qualified), 2x final runs
Sunday, February 22
7:30am: Mischa Thomas – women’s freestyle skiing Halfpipe, 2x final runs (if qualified)
Stan Sport: Best Paid Option for Complete Winter Olympics Coverage
If you want every event, every medal, and premium quality, Stan Sport is one of the best options available for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Stan Sport pricing (Australia):
- $10 AUD for Stan base subscription
- $12 AUD for Stan Sport add-on
- Total: $22 AUD for one month
- Cancel anytime
This makes Stan Sport an excellent short-term option—perfect for watching the Olympics without locking into long contracts.
Why Stan Sport Is Worth It for Milano Cortina 2026
Stan Sport offers:
- All 116 Winter Olympic events
- Live and on-demand streaming
- Every medal moment captured
- Stunning 4K quality
- Full replays, highlights, and analysis
Importantly, Stan Sport is the only platform where you can replay every single moment of the Winter Olympics, not just selected events.
Coverage begins on Wednesday 4 February, two days before the Opening Ceremony, so you won’t miss a thing from the very first competition.
Watching Stan Sport from Spain
Stan Sport is geo-restricted to Australia, but many Kiwis living overseas use ExpressVPN to access their subscription securely.
This combination gives you:
- Australian-style coverage
- English commentary
- Reliable streams with minimal buffering
For New Zealanders in Spain who want comprehensive coverage without hassle, Stan Sport + ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable setups.
Best Viewing Setup for Kiwis in Spain
For the smoothest experience:
- Use ExpressVPN to connect to Australia
- Subscribe to Stan + Stan Sport for one month
- Watch on smart TV, laptop, tablet, or mobile
- Enjoy live and on-demand coverage in 4K
This setup works especially well if you’re travelling, working remotely, or moving around Spain during the Olympic period.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss the Winter Olympics 2026
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promise incredible moments, unforgettable performances, and world-class competition. For Kiwis living in Spain, watching the Games doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you choose:
- Free live streams unlocked with ExpressVPN, or
- Stan Sport’s complete Olympic coverage for just $22 AUD,
You can enjoy every event, every medal, and every highlight—live and on demand. If you’re a New Zealander living in Spain and want to stay connected to global sport, the Winter Olympics are the perfect place to start.
Contact Kiwis in Spain
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to message Kent or stay connected via our Facebook and Instagram pages.
