By: Easton Fitzgerald 

     As most of you know, every four years in February, athletes around the world prepare for the Winter Olympics. This year’s Olympics are being held in two separate locations within Italy, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Squire is very excited to tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

     While the Olympics contain 16 different sports, The Squire will focus on the top five. According to www.topendsports.com. The top five most popular Winter Olympics sports, in order, are as follows: Figure Skating, Ski Jumping, Speed Skating, Bobsledding, and Alpine Skiing.  

     Firstly, Figure Skating is one of the oldest and most popular sports and involves both a rhythm dance and a free dance. Athletes in the paired competition typically do a few technical movements together, such as parallel spins and various jumps. The scoring system is based on the technical elements mentioned, as well as basic program components, such as skating skills, transitions, performance, and composition.  

     Moving forward, Ski Jumping is also a classic Winter Olympic sport and is the second most popular. Ski jumping combines balance and perfect timing to see which competitor can launch themselves the furthest down the hill. Ski Jumping is easily one of the most daring and difficult events to master. A single shift in a jumper’s posture can cost them the win, which is why ski jumping is a great event to check out if you plan on watching this year’s Olympics. 

     Another great event to watch this year is Speed Skating, which features various intense races. The races range from short sprints of 500 meters to long-distance battles of 10,000 meters. Additionally, speed skaters can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Races take place on a 400-meter oval track and have both team and individual events throughout the Winter Olympics. This event is a standout because unlike other events that are judged formally, it is based purely on skill and the times at the end of the race. 

     At the number four spot is one of the fastest Olympic events, Bobsledding. Bobsleds can reach speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour, also making it one of the most dangerous events. Races are often decided by a few hundredths of a second, which is what makes it a good watch. Furthermore, races include two-man, two-woman, and four-man bobsleigh. Each team member plays a crucial role in a good run. In addition to intelligence and adaptability for the entire race, strength is needed for the start to push the sled and get it going. Every bobsleigh track is different, with steep drops, high walls, and sharp curves, so teams must adapt quickly. Bobsleigh is known for its extreme crashes, comebacks, and close finishes, so keep an eye out for this event. 

     The fifth and final most popular event is Alpine Skiing, which takes place on steep and difficult hills. There are five separate events within Alpine Skiing, which are the following: Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Alpine Combined. Each event tests competitors on various skills, from high speeds to quick turns and precision. Weather plays a huge part in this event, as snow conditions, wind, and visibility all make a tremendous difference. Alpine Skiing is another event that is dangerous for its speeds, with competitors going up to 80 miles per hour.  

     Additionally, to get a fan’s perspective on the 2026 Winter Olympics, The Squire asked sports fan, Conner Briggs, what events he enjoys watching the most and why. Briggs replied, “I personally enjoy watching both the freestyle snowboarding and the hockey games at the Winter Olympics.” Snowboarding stands out in the Winter Olympics for its high-risk tricks, while hockey is well known for its fast pace and competitive aspect, making both events exciting to watch this year.  

     After discussing Briggs’ favorite events to watch, The Squire spoke to him about what Winter Olympic event he would want to try himself and what interests him in it. Briggs shared, “If I had to choose one event at the Winter Olympics to try myself, I would pick curling because it looks kind of fun and I’ve only gotten to do it once, and I would like to do it again.” Briggs’ responses highlight the large variety of entertaining sports to watch in the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

     To show how the public eye views the Winter Olympics, The Squire did a poll on Instagram to see what fans find most exciting about the Games. In the poll, 73% of respondents said that the athletes themselves are what make the Olympics exciting, while 27% chose national pride. When asked whether they prefer the Summer or Winter Olympics, 64% of followers said they prefer the Summer Olympics, compared to 36% who said they prefer the Winter Olympics. The poll shows that fans enjoy watching the Winter Olympics to see their favorite athletes perform and that the Summer Olympics are more popular in general. 

     So, keep an eye out for the 2026 Winter Olympics as February 6 rolls around and support your country or favorite athlete. In the United States, the Winter Olympics are broadcast by NBC and are available to watch on Peacock and www.NBCOlympics.com.