The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics’ early events continue today before Friday's opening ceremony. Curling began the action yesterday and continued today, with wins for the U.S., Canada, hosts Italy and Britain.

This year’s women’s tournament is one of the most highly anticipated events in recent memory. Not only because of the excitement of the United States taking on Canada, but also because of the introduction of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, players from all around the globe are showing their talents nightly.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest on the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where hockey and snowboarding events will open ahead of the opening ceremony.

The United States has the most athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, but is not favored to win the gold medal race.

Ice hockey super star Leon Draisaitl and seven-time ski jumping world champion Katharina Schmid will be Germany's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics, the German Olympics body DOSB said in a statement on Wednesday.

MILAN (AP) — Of all the elite players making up the U.S. women’s national team’s roster, coach John Wroblewski insisted the one he couldn’t do without at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games was Hayley Scamurra.

Feb. 4, 2026 was a day that Edmonton Oilers Superstar Leon Draisaitl will never forget. In the morning, he received a call from the German Olympic Committee informing him that they wanted him to carry the German flag and lead the German Winter Olympic team into the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Milano/Cortina Olympic Games.

Bruins forward will represent Czechia, Oilers center to have honor for Germany, Jets forward to lead Switzerland