California Athletes And NCAA Stars Fuel Team USA As Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Begin

The countdown is nearly over, and the world’s winter sports elite are ready to descend on Italy for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics—a spectacle set to become one for the history books. With the Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, February 6, at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, anticipation is at a fever pitch. This marks Italy’s third time hosting the Winter Games, and the country is pulling out all the stops, promising a blend of tradition, innovation, and star-studded performances.

For Team USA, this Olympiad is about more than medals and records; it’s a showcase of diversity, experience, and collegiate excellence. Out of the 232-member U.S. Olympic roster, 19 athletes hail directly from California—making the Golden State the third-largest contributor to the national contingent, according to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). From Los Angeles to Truckee, these athletes represent a cross-section of disciplines, including figure skating, snowboarding, alpine skiing, and more. Notable names like Spencer Akira Howe (figure skating), Cayla Barnes (ice hockey), Bryce Bennett (alpine skiing), Chloe Kim (snowboarding), and Alysa Liu (figure skating) are just a few of California’s stars poised to make their mark on the world stage.

But California’s influence stretches even further. Several athletes, while not officially listed as California natives, maintain strong ties to the state—whether by birth, training, or college affiliation. For instance, Ashley Farquharson (luge) was born in Sacramento, and Eileen Gu (freestyle skiing), who will compete for China, was born in San Francisco. The NHL’s presence in California is also felt, with players from the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks representing their home countries in the Olympic ice hockey tournament.

The U.S. team’s composition reflects a remarkable blend of youth and experience. The roster is split nearly evenly, with 117 men and 115 women, ranging from 15-year-old freeskiing prodigy Abby Winterberger to 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen. Among them, seven Americans—including alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, and hockey legend Hilary Knight—are making their fifth Olympic appearance. According to the USOPC, Elana Meyers Taylor leads a group of 33 returning medalists, boasting three silver and two bronze medals, while Kaillie Humphries brings three golds to her name. Snowboarder Chloe Kim and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, each with two gold medals, are also back to defend their titles.

College sports are a major storyline for Team USA in Milan Cortina. A staggering 36% of the American Olympic contingent—84 athletes—have NCAA ties, representing nine Olympic sports and nine NCAA sports, spread across 51 schools and 27 conferences. This collegiate connection is especially pronounced in ice hockey, where 43 of Team USA’s ice hockey players have NCAA backgrounds, accounting for a whopping 90% of the roster. The women’s ice hockey squad is a veritable NCAA showcase: all 23 players have college experience, including 11 NCAA national champions and four Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winners, the highest honor in women’s collegiate hockey.

On the men’s side, 20 of 25 players have NCAA experience, with Boston University and Michigan leading the way. The Big Ten Conference is the dominant pipeline, contributing 24 NCAA-connected athletes in total. Other sports with significant NCAA representation include skiing (21 athletes), track and field/cross country (14), football (2), and soccer (2). Olympic regulars like Hilary Knight (Wisconsin, five Olympics) and Elana Meyers Taylor (George Washington, five Olympics in bobsleigh) highlight the depth and longevity of the NCAA-to-Olympics pathway.

The Games themselves promise to be a global celebration. The Opening Ceremony, set for February 6, will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC, Peacock, and NBCOlympics.com, with a primetime re-air at 8 p.m. ET for those who can’t tune in during the day. Savannah Guthrie and Terry Gannon will co-host NBC’s coverage, joined by American snowboarding icon Shaun White, who’s making his debut as an Opening Ceremony commentator. For those watching from home, every event will be available on NBC, USA, and CNBC, with exclusive streaming on Peacock—ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action.

The Opening Ceremony itself promises a blend of tradition and star power. Milan’s San Siro Stadium, nearly a century old and home to soccer giants A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, will host the Parade of Nations, the raising of the host country’s flag, the singing of Italy’s national anthem, and the dramatic lighting of the Olympic torch. The torch relay began in November 2025 in Greece, made its way to Rome in December, and will culminate as the cauldron is lit in Milan. Adding to the pageantry, Mariah Carey and Italian actress Matilda De Angelis are set to perform, offering a dash of international glamour to the festivities.

While the Opening Ceremony signals the official start of the Games, competition actually begins earlier. Curling takes center stage on Wednesday, February 4, and Thursday, February 5, with the U.S. making its Olympic debut in the sport on Thursday. The action continues for 19 days, concluding with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 22. With events spanning alpine skiing, figure skating, snowboarding, bobsled, biathlon, and more, there’s something for every sports fan.

For U.S. viewers, the timing of the Milan Cortina Games offers both challenges and opportunities. With Italy six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, live events will often air in the early morning or afternoon. NBC is pulling out all the stops to ensure comprehensive coverage, including enhanced primetime replays and in-depth features on Team USA athletes. As part of NBC’s "Legendary February," Mike Tirico will contribute to Opening Ceremony coverage remotely while preparing to call Super Bowl LX from Santa Clara, California, just two days later—a testament to the network’s massive sports footprint this winter.

As the world turns its eyes to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise unforgettable stories, fierce competition, and a celebration of athletic achievement. With a team packed with NCAA talent, California standouts, and Olympic veterans, Team USA is ready to write the next chapter in Olympic history. Whether you’re a die-hard curling fan, a figure skating devotee, or just tuning in for the spectacle, these Games are set to deliver thrills, surprises, and moments that will be remembered for years to come.

With the Opening Ceremony just days away, all eyes are on Italy. The world is ready, the athletes are prepared, and the stage is set for 19 days of winter sports excitement. Let the Games begin!