The magic of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games reaches its peak today as the worlds finest figure skaters take to the ice for the final medal event in the singles category. The womens single free skating competition is widely considered the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics, blending athletic power with artistic grace. After a captivating short program earlier this week, the stage is set at the Milano Ice Skating Arena for a historic showdown that will determine who walks away with Olympic gold.

When to Watch the Womens Free Skating Medal Round

The grand finale of the womens figure skating competition is taking place today, Thursday, February 19, 2026. This is the definitive medal round where the scores from the short program are combined with the free skate results to crown the champion.

The event is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm local time in Milan (CET). For viewers tuning in from other parts of the world, here are the key start times:

• United States: 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT
• United Kingdom: 6:00 pm GMT
• India: 11:30 pm IST
• Japan: 3:00 am JST (Friday morning)

Broadcasters typically begin their coverage about thirty minutes prior to the first skater taking the ice to provide expert analysis and a recap of the current standings.

How to Stream the Figure Skating Finale Live

In the digital age, catching every triple axel and quad jump is easier than ever. Depending on your region, several official platforms are providing high definition live streams of the entire four hour broadcast.

Viewing Options in the United States

For fans in the US, NBC and Peacock are the primary destinations for Olympic coverage. Peacock offers a dedicated Olympics hub where you can watch the world feed without commercial interruptions or choose the NBC broadcast with expert commentary. Additionally, the USA Network will provide extensive coverage for cable subscribers.

Global Broadcasting Partners

• Canada: Viewers can tune in via CBC Gem and the CBC Sports app for free live streaming.
• United Kingdom: The BBC and Eurosport (via Discovery Plus) are the official homes for the Winter Games.
• Australia: Nine Network and 9Now will provide comprehensive coverage of the medal rounds.
• Europe: Warner Bros Discovery and various national broadcasters under the EBU will carry the event live.

Current Standings and Top Contenders for Gold

The competition is incredibly tight following the short program held on Tuesday. The leaderboard is currently dominated by a mix of seasoned champions and rising teenage stars. Ami Nakai of Japan holds a narrow lead after a flawless performance, closely followed by her teammate and three time world champion Kaori Sakamoto.

The United States has a strong podium hope in Alysa Liu, who sits in third place and is looking to become the first American woman to win gold since 2002. Other skaters to watch include Adeliia Petrosian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, and Belgiums Loena Hendrickx, both of whom have high difficulty programs planned for the free skate. The technical scores today will be massive, as several skaters are expected to attempt quadruple jumps and difficult triple triple combinations.

Venue and Atmosphere at Milano Ice Skating Arena

The Milano Ice Skating Arena, located in the heart of Milan, has been transformed into a winter wonderland for these games. Known for its incredible acoustics and intimate seating, the arena provides the perfect stage for the emotional storytelling inherent in free skating programs.

Expect a raucous atmosphere today as the local Italian fans cheer for their home favorite Lara Naki Gutmann, while international supporters bring a sea of flags to support the global stars. The pressure of the Olympic final often leads to unexpected drama, making this a must watch event for sports fans everywhere.