The 2026 Winter Olympics are almost here — February 6–22, 2026 — with elite athletes from around the world competing in iconic winter sports across northern Italy. Whether you’re following figure skating, alpine skiing, hockey, snowboarding or curling, there’s something for every sports fan. These Games will be broadcast around the world through a patchwork of free and paid platforms, and in this guide we’ll break down where you can watch them — including free options — and how a reliable VPN like Octohide VPN can help make your viewing experience smoother and more secure.

Official Broadcasters & Streaming Platforms by Region

Here’s a snapshot of where you can find coverage of Milan-Cortina 2026. Keep in mind that rights and availability vary by country and platform.

Free Ways to Catch the Games

Across the world, many public broadcasters are offering free live streams of selected Olympic events — though not always every single competition.

• BBC iPlayer (UK): Offers hundreds of hours of free coverage with a valid TV licence.

• CBC Gem (Canada): Free access to extensive live streams and on-demand content.

• 9Now (Australia): Free live streams from select events.

• European public broadcasters (e.g., ARD, ZDF, RAI): Provide free TV and web streams across many countries.

Even when full live coverage is behind a subscription, free highlights and selected events are often accessible — especially through public broadcasters’ apps and websites.

Why Use a VPN for Your Olympics Viewing

When you’re abroad or traveling, you might find that your usual streaming platform blocks your access because of where you’re located. That’s where a VPN can help by letting you connect to a server in your home country or another region with free streams, and enjoy those broadcasts as though you were there.

Here’s how a VPN enhances your Olympics experience:

Benefits of Using Octohide VPN

• Fast and stable connections: Ideal for watching live sports with minimal buffering.

• Unlimited bandwidth (even on free plan): Unlike many VPNs that throttle data, Octohide VPN lets you stream as much as you want without caps.

• No browsing logs: Keeps your online activity private and secure.

• Free servers in premium locations: Connect easily to regions like Germany, UK, USA, Netherlands, Singapore, and others.

• Configuration export: Use on routers, PCs, and gaming systems for big-screen streams.

By using Octohide VPN, you can connect securely to official broadcasters that may otherwise limit access outside their region, and you’ll enjoy smoother, more reliable live viewing. This is especially useful when staying on free options but traveling abroad.

Extra Tips for Watching Winter Olympics 2026

✔️ Plan your schedule: Match events with the time difference from Italy so you don’t miss key competition times.
✔️ Sign up early: If you’re using a subscription service like Peacock or Discovery+, create accounts and install apps well before the Games.
✔️ Quality settings: Ensure you choose HD or higher when streaming for a better viewing experience.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are set to be an exciting celebration of sport and global competition. Across the world many broadcasters are offering free live streams of key events, and with tools like Octohide VPN you can access those streams securely and smoothly from wherever you are. Whether you’re cheering for hockey, dreaming of alpine gold, or soaking up every moment of the Games, the right setup can make all the difference.

Download Octohide VPN now.