The 2026 Winter Olympics: A Look at the Medal Contenders
As the world gears up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a familiar question on many minds is: which nation will dominate the medal count? The past two Winter Games have seen Norway consistently at the top. In 2018, they secured an impressive 39 medals, sharing the most gold medals with Germany at 14. The trend continued in 2022, where Norway again led with 37 medals, including a remarkable 16 golds.
This year’s Games promise a host of compelling narratives. The debut of ski mountaineering will undoubtedly capture attention, and many will be watching to see if any athletes make a triumphant return from injury, akin to the storylines that often emerge at this elite level. The potential return of NHL players to the ice hockey competition could also significantly shake up the dynamics of that sport.
While Norway has a strong historical claim, the United States and Germany are expected to be formidable contenders, making the race for the top of the medal table a closely watched affair. The Sporting News will be tracking the progress of all nations, providing updates on the top medal-winning countries as the Milan Games unfold.
2026 Winter Olympics Medal Tally (As of February 18th)
The medal count is a dynamic snapshot of the Games, constantly evolving as new events conclude. The following table reflects the standings as of the last update.
| Rank | Country | Total Medals | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 32 | 15 | 8 | 9 |
| 2 | Italy | 25 | 9 | 4 | 12 |
| 3 | United States | 23 | 6 | 11 | 6 |
| 4 | Germany | 21 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
| 5 | Japan | 20 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 6 | Austria | 17 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| 7 | France | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| T8 | Netherlands | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| T8 | Sweden | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 10 | Canada | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 11 | Switzerland | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 12 | China | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 13 | South Korea | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 14 | Australia | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| T15 | Czechia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| T15 | Slovenia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| T15 | Poland | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| T15 | Finland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 19 | Great Britain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | Latvia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| T20 | New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| T20 | Bulgaria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| T23 | Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T23 | Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T23 | Belgium | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| T23 | Georgia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Leading the Pack: Gold Medal Standings
Norway is currently leading the charge in the gold medal count, demonstrating their consistent dominance on the winter sports stage. As of February 18th, they have amassed 15 gold medals. Italy follows closely with nine golds, showcasing strong performance on home soil.
- Norway: 15 Gold Medals
- Italy: 9 Gold Medals
- United States: 6 Gold Medals
- Netherlands: 6 Gold Medals
- Sweden: 6 Gold Medals
- Germany: 5 Gold Medals
- Austria: 5 Gold Medals
- France: 5 Gold Medals
- Switzerland: 5 Gold Medals
- Japan: 4 Gold Medals
- Canada: 3 Gold Medals
- Australia: 3 Gold Medals
- Great Britain: 3 Gold Medals
- Czechia: 2 Gold Medals
- Slovenia: 2 Gold Medals
- China: 1 Gold Medal
- South Korea: 1 Gold Medal
- Brazil: 1 Gold Medal
- Kazakhstan: 1 Gold Medal
The first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics was claimed by Switzerland’s Franjo von Allman in the men’s downhill alpine skiing event, setting an early tone for the competition.
A Glimpse at the Schedule: Key Events and Broadcast Information
The 2026 Winter Olympics schedule is packed with thrilling events, offering fans a comprehensive viewing experience. Below is a sample of the early schedule, highlighting key competitions and how to watch them.
Saturday, February 7th
- 4:05 a.m. ET: Curling – Mixed Doubles (Great Britain vs. Canada) – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 4:30 a.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – Women’s Slopestyle qualifying – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 5:30 a.m. ET: Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 7:00 a.m. ET: Cross-Country Skiing – Women’s Skiathlon – TV/Live stream: NBC, Peacock
- 10:40 a.m. ET: Hockey – Women’s Group B (Sweden vs. Italy) – TV/Live stream: Peacock
- 1:45 p.m. ET: Figure Skating – Team: Men’s Short Program – TV/Live stream: NBC, Peacock
Sunday, February 8th
- 3:00 a.m. ET: Snowboarding – Men’s, Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom qualifying – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 5:30 a.m. ET: Alpine Skiing – Women’s Downhill – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 6:30 a.m. ET: Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Skiathlon – TV/Live stream: Peacock, USA (6:45 a.m.), NBC (7:00 a.m.)
- 7:30 a.m. ET: Snowboarding – Men’s, Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom finals – TV/Live stream: NBC, Peacock
- 8:35 a.m. ET: Curling – Mixed Doubles (USA vs. Estonia) – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 10:40 a.m. ET: Hockey – Women’s Group B (France vs. Sweden) – TV/Live stream: Peacock
Monday, February 9th
- 4:05 a.m. ET: Curling – Mixed Doubles (USA vs. Italy) – TV/Live stream: Peacock
- 6:30 a.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – Women’s Slopestyle final – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 11:00 a.m. ET: Luge – Women’s Singles Runs 1-2 – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Speed Skating – Women’s 1000m – TV/Live stream: USA, Peacock, NBC (12:00 p.m.)
- 1:30 p.m. ET: Snowboarding – Women’s Big Air final – TV/Live stream: NBC, Peacock
This schedule provides a snapshot of the early days of the Games, with many more exciting events to follow across a diverse range of winter sports.
