The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026 are shaping up to be one of the most streamed Games ever – especially figure skating, which always draws huge global attention. The challenge for fans around the world is this: broadcasters in each country have exclusive rights, and if you travel or live where those rights don’t exist, you might find streams blocked.
The good news is there’s a reliable way to get access from literally anywhere using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN lets you securely “appear” in another country online, unlocking the streaming platforms that hold rights for live figure skating coverage.
Let’s dive right in.
Official Figure Skating Broadcasters and Platforms (By Territory)
To stream any Olympic event live, first identify who has the rights in your region. Below is a comprehensive table that covers confirmed broadcasters and how they stream figure skating.
Global Broadcasters and Platforms for Figure Skating — Milano Cortina 2026
| Territory | Primary Broadcaster | Main Digital Platform | Access Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ariana TV Network (ATN) | ATN Web/App | Free / Digital |
| Australia | Nine Network / Stan Sport | 9Now / Stan Sport | Free / Subscription |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo / CazéTV | Globoplay / YouTube | Free / Subscription |
| Canada | CBC / TSN / RDS | CBC Gem / TOU.tv | Free / Cable |
| Czech Republic | Česká televize / HBO Max | CT Sport / HBO Max | Free / Subscription |
| France | France Télévisions | France.tv / HBO Max | Free / Subscription |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF / WBD | ARD Mediathek / HBO Max | Free / Subscription |
| Japan | NHK Consortium | NHK Plus | Public |
| Netherlands | NOS / WBD | NOS.nl / HBO Max | Free / Subscription |
| UK | BBC / Discovery+ | BBC iPlayer / Discovery+ | Free / Subscription |
| US | NBCUniversal | Peacock / NBC App | Subscription / Cable |
| New Zealand | Sky NZ | Sky Sport Now | Subscription |
| Many others | MRH / Local Channels | Local apps/sites | Depends |
Some regions still show “To Be Confirmed” rights — especially parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. When rights are missing, the IOC may provide a fallback stream via the Olympic Channel, but that’s almost always geo‑blocked if a rights holder exists in your region.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch From Anywhere
Here’s the core problem most fans face:
Streaming services only let you watch if your IP address matches the country where rights are sold. That’s geo‑blocking.
So if you’re:
- Traveling outside your home country
- Living in a region without broadcast rights
- Trying to watch a platform unavailable where you are
…a VPN becomes a must‑have tool.
How a VPN Helps
A VPN (Virtual Private Network):
- Encrypts your internet traffic
- Routes it through a server in another country
- Makes it look like you’re there
- Lets you access geo‑restricted streams legally (where you have a subscription)
So if you’re stuck in, say, Brazil and want to watch the UK BBC stream, you connect your VPN to the UK, open BBC iPlayer, and stream as if you were there.
Best VPNs for Live Olympic Streaming
Live sports streaming demands speed and reliability. Not all VPNs are built for this. Below are top picks that consistently handle live streams without buffering.
Top VPN Providers for Live Olympic Figure Skating
| VPN Provider | Why It’s Great | Works On | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Fastest speeds with NordLynx | Windows / Mac / iOS / Android / Smart TV | Great for Peacock, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer |
| ExpressVPN | Huge server network | Apple TV / Android TV / Consoles | Consistent geo‑unlocking |
| Surfshark | Best value | Unlimited devices | Works well with major platforms |
| Proton VPN | Strong privacy | Multiple devices | Good for Europe |
What to Look For in a VPN
When choosing a VPN for live sports
- Fast protocols (NordLynx, Lightway)
- Large network of servers (for more options)
- Smart DNS support (for Smart TVs)
- No‑logs policy (privacy)
- Unrestricted streaming (not blocked by platforms)
| 4 Best VPN for Streaming | Offer + Discount | URL |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 77% off + 3 months free | Try NordVPN |
| ExpressVPN | 73% off + 4 months free | Try ExpressVPN |
| SurfShark | 87% off + 2 months free | Try SurfShark |
| ProtonVPN | 75% off | Try ProtonVPN |
How to Set Up Your VPN for Figure Skating Streams
Here’s a quick step‑by‑step:
- Pick a VPN with servers in the country you want (e.g. UK, US, Canada)
- Subscribe and install the app on your device
- Connect to a server in that country
- Go to the official streaming platform (Peacock, BBC iPlayer, etc.)
- Log in with your existing account
- Start watching live
Important: You usually still need a valid subscription for the service you’re trying to watch. The VPN doesn’t give you access without an account — it just lets you appear as if you’re in the right place.
Subscription Details for Major Platforms
Here’s how some of the main services handle subscriptions for winter sports streaming:
Peacock (USA)
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $10.99 | $109.99 | All live events |
| Premium Plus | $16.99 | $169.99 | Ad‑free |
| Student | $5.99 | N/A | Full access |
Peacock holds all Olympic events live, but the most detailed “Venue Feeds” and data overlays are only in full‑featured tiers.
BBC iPlayer (UK)
- Free for UK IP addresses
- Great quality and includes additional “Olympics Extra” channels
Stan Sport (Australia)
- Subscription required
- Often 4K streams available
Other services like CBC Gem, France.tv, and HBO Max vary by region — always check local terms.
Europe’s Geo‑Portability Rule (EU Bonus)
If you live in the EU and have a subscription to a European service (HBO Max, Discovery+, etc.), you can usually stream your service elsewhere in the EU without a VPN thanks to EU cross‑border portability rules.
This means:
- Polish HBO Max works in Italy
- French Discovery+ works in Germany
But if you leave the EU or want to use a different country’s platform, that’s where a VPN comes in.
Full 2026 Figure Skating Schedule
Here’s the full competition schedule in Central European Time (CEST) and US Eastern Time (ET) — great to plan your streaming.
Team Event (Feb 6–8)
| Date | Event | CEST | ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 6 | Ice Dance Rhythm | 09:55–10:45 | 03:55–04:45 |
| Feb 6 | Pairs Short | 11:35–12:45 | 05:35–06:45 |
| Feb 6 | Women’s Short | 13:35–14:55 | 07:35–08:55 |
| Feb 7 | Men’s Short | 19:45–21:00 | 13:45–15:00 |
| Feb 7 | Ice Dance Free | 22:05–22:50 | 16:05–16:50 |
| Feb 8 | Pairs Free | 19:30–20:30 | 13:30–14:30 |
| Feb 8 | Women’s Free | 20:45–21:40 | 14:45–15:40 |
| Feb 8 | Men’s Free | 21:55–23:00 | 15:55–17:00 |
Individual Events (Feb 9–21)
| Date | Event | CEST | ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 9 | Ice Dance: Rhythm Dance | 19:20–22:55 | 13:20–16:55 |
| Feb 10 | Men’s Short | 18:30–22:45 | 12:30–16:45 |
| Feb 11 | Free Dance | 19:20–23:05 | 13:20–17:05 |
| Feb 13 | Men’s Free | 19:00–23:10 | 13:00–17:10 |
| Feb 15 | Pairs Short | 19:45–22:55 | 13:45–16:55 |
| Feb 16 | Pairs Free | 20:00–23:15 | 14:00–17:15 |
| Feb 17 | Women’s Short | 18:45–23:00 | 12:45–17:00 |
| Feb 19 | Women’s Free | 19:00–23:10 | 13:00–17:10 |
| Feb 21 | Exhibition Gala | 20:00–22:30 | 14:00–16:30 |
Most linear channels may show primetime highlights, but streaming platforms show every segment live.
Final Thoughts
Watching Olympic figure skating live from anywhere in the world is totally possible — you just need to know where the official broadcasters are, and how to unlock them if you’re in a different country.
Using a VPN allows you to:
- Access platforms restricted to specific countries
- Watch live events while traveling
- Choose your preferred commentary and feeds
- Avoid frustrating geo‑blocked messages
Pick a top VPN with strong speed and reliability, set it up on your device, and enjoy the elegance and drama of Olympic figure skating as it happens in Milano Cortina 2026.
FAQ
Can I watch Olympic figure skating for free online?
Yes, in many countries! Platforms like CBC Gem (Canada), BBC iPlayer (UK), and France.tv offer free streaming — but only within their country. With a VPN, you can access these streams even when you’re abroad.
Is using a VPN to watch Olympic broadcasts legal?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, you should always follow the terms of service of the streaming platform you’re accessing. VPNs are a privacy tool — how you use them matters.
Which VPN is best for streaming the Olympics?
NordVPN is widely recommended for speed, streaming reliability, and device support. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are also excellent, especially if you need access across multiple countries or on smart TVs.
Do I need a subscription to use these streaming platforms?
Some platforms are 100% free (like CBC or BBC), others require a subscription (like Peacock, Stan Sport, or HBO Max). Even free services might require creating a free account or confirming location.
More Olympic Streaming Guides
Want to stream other Olympic sports or national teams?
👉 Check out our full guides for:
- 🇺🇸 How to Watch Team USA Olympic Hockey Live Anywhere (2026)
- 🇩🇪 Team Germany Ice Hockey: Streaming Guide & VPN Setup (2026)
- ⛷️ How to Watch Olympic Skiing Live from Anywhere (2026)
- 🎥 Watch ARD & ZDF from Outside Germany
- Watch Every Moment of the 2026 Winter Olympics Wherever You Are
All our Olympic content is updated regularly and designed to help you enjoy the Games no matter where in the world you are.
