- The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, will offer extensive free-to-air coverage on ARD and ZDF.
- Streaming services like Discovery+ and HBO Max will provide comprehensive access to all events, but require a subscription.
- Viewers can also enjoy Olympic coverage through radio programs and podcasts available on ARD.
- ARD and ZDF media libraries will stream up to seven disciplines simultaneously.
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are gearing up to host the Winter Olympics from February 6th to 22nd, 2026, and German viewers are already wondering how to catch all the action—and what it will cost.
The Olympic Games are massive media events, but navigating the broadcast rights can be complex. Depending on your preferred viewing method and existing subscriptions, you might only see a portion of the competitions, or the entire program. With more and more content moving behind paywalls, understanding which channels offer what, and whether an additional subscription is worthwhile, is key.
The good news? A significant portion of the 2026 Winter Games will be free to receive. However, if you’re determined to follow specific disciplines, niche sports, or every run and round, streaming services will become essential.
ARD and ZDF: Olympia 2026 for Free on TV and Live Stream
ARD and ZDF have secured the free-to-air television rights for Germany. The broadcasters will alternate coverage of the competitions, collectively planning around 220 hours of live broadcasts on traditional television, supplemented by summaries, magazines, and in-depth reports.
- The ARD will broadcast the Opening ceremony on February 6th.
- The ZDF will show the Closing ceremony in Verona.
For many viewers, this package will be sufficient: the most important events with German participation, major ice hockey and skiing competitions, and the opening and closing ceremonies will all be shown on standard television.
Media Libraries with Up to Seven Parallel Streams
Those who don’t want to rely solely on the main television program can take advantage of the public broadcasters’ media libraries. ARD and ZDF are significantly expanding their offerings:
- The ARD media library and ZDF media library will allow up to seven disciplines to be streamed simultaneously.
- In addition to the television broadcasts, additional feeds will be available, such as complete competitions without interruption or parallel competitions not shown on TV.
This allows viewers to specifically follow the sports they’re most interested in—such as biathlon, luge, or short track—regardless of the television schedule.
Olympia to Listen To: Radio Programs and Podcasts
If you want to follow the games alongside your daily routine, consider tuning into audio offerings. ARD is planning a special Olympic radio program that:
- will be available daily in the ARD-Audiothek.
- will be broadcast on various information waves between 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m.
A daily Olympic podcast, moderated by Alex Schlüter and Stephanie Müller-Spirra, among others, will also be available. This is a practical option for commuters or anyone who prefers not to be glued to a screen.
Eurosport, Discovery+ and HBO Max: Full Coverage for a Subscription Fee
Beyond the basic offerings, Warner Bros. Discovery’s rights portfolio plays a central role:
- Eurosport 1 is free-to-receive in Germany, but only shows selected competitions. The channel is also included in many TV packages and integrated into sports platforms such as DAZN.
- For comprehensive coverage, consider the streaming services Discovery+ and HBO Max, which bundle the extensive Olympic rights from the Discovery portfolio.
All competitions will be available there as live streams and often as re-live options—including parallel feeds and additional camera perspectives. For dedicated fans, a limited-time subscription during the games may be worthwhile.
Both services require a fee: HBO Max costs 5.99 euros per month for its basic model. However, live sports viewing requires a €3 add-on, bringing the total to 8.99 euros per month. Discovery Plus costs 4.99 euros per month and includes Olympic coverage in this price. It’s important to note that both subscriptions include advertising despite the monthly fee.
