Your gold medal guide to hosting a 2026 Winter Olympics watch party

• The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
• The games are scheduled to begin on Friday, February 6, 2026.
• This article provides suggestions for hosting a watch party, including decor, food, and games.

Get ready to go for gold and turn your living room into a front-row seat for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

This year’s Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and will kick off on Friday, Feb. 6. If you're planning on hosting a party, now is the time to stock up on supplies.

Whether you're hosting a small squad or a full-blown Olympics watch-party, these picks will help you stick the landing with everything you need from decor to serving and food setups, games and more.

Here's a breakdown of what you need for Milan Cortina 2026:

• Winter Olympics party decorations
• Winter Olympics serving and food setup
• Winter Olympics viewing and comfort gear
• Winter Olympics games and fun extras

Things you need to host a Winter Olympics 2026 watch party

Winter Olympics party decorations

Go for Gold Backdrop Party Decoration

Celebrate Team USA with this red, white and blue colors party background that says "Go for Gold." Plus, it's reusable and easy to hang. Shop at Amazon

Spritz Gold Party Backdrop

An Olympics watch party can never have too much gold. Get this fun fringe party backdrop. Shop at Target

Marforever 100 Countries Flag Flags of the World String

Need a festive banner? This flag banner has 100 international flags to celebrate the Olympics. Shop at Amazon

Winter Olympics serving and food setup

Sam's Club Club Membership

Get an annual Sam's Club membership to cater your Olympics watch party and start saving. Right now, you can save $25 or $40 on The Club membership and The Plus membership. Sign up for Sam's Club

Warmounts 5-Quart Round Chafing Dish Buffet Set

The Games may be cold, but your food doesn't have to be. Keep your guests' food warm with this four-pack dish buffet set. Shop at Target

Gibson Elite Gracious Ceramic Sectional Serving Tray

No party is complete without snacks. Serve everything you need from chips, veggies, dips and more with this sectional serving tray. Shop at Wayfair

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia 12-Ounce Coupe Glasses Set of 8

Toast to the Olympians with these Hearth & Hand with Magnolia's coupe glasses, from Chip and Joanna Gaines' line at Target. Shop at Target

Winter Olympics viewing and comfort gear

Vizio 65-Inch Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV

Don't miss out on any of the action of the Olympics. Get this Smart TV to watch your favorite athletes compete. Shop at Walmart

Samsung 3.0Ch Soundbar with Built-in Woofer

Immerse yourself into the Winter Olympics with this soundbar. It has multi-directional sound that'll draw you into the Games. Shop at Target

Nike United States Olympic Team Club Fleece

The classic Team USA logo on a hoodie with French terry fabric for ultimate softness. Shop at Nike

Winter Olympics games and fun extras

12-Pack Gold Silver Bronze Award Medals

Having any party games? Get this medal set to celebrate your guests as Olympic medal winners. Shop at Walmart

50-Pack Toy Snowballs

Need something fun for the kids? Have an indoor snowball fight to kick off the Olympics. Shop at Amazon

Olympic Games Mini Flying Disc Rings Set of 12

Get this Olympic ring toss for you watch party. Elevate the fun and toss them around while you're watching the Games. Shop at Amazon

When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start?

The 2026 Winter Olympics start on Friday, Feb. 6, and run through Sunday, Feb. 22; the Winter Paralympic Games will then begin on March 6 and run until March 15.

When is the 2026 Olympics closing ceremony?

The closing ceremony will be held on Sunday, Feb. 22, and will take place at Verona Olympic Arena—Italy's third-largest Roman amphitheater.

Who is Team USA's flag bearer for the Winter Olympics 2026?

The flag bearers for Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics are speed skater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca. They were selected by their fellow athletes to lead Team USA during the Opening Ceremony.