What to Bet During Winter Olympics 2026: How to Wager on Biggest Sports in Milano-Cortina

What is there to bet on at the 2026 Winter Olympics? The Games in Milano-Cortina feature a mix of high-speed racing, team play, and cross-sport action. The key is understanding which sports are "statistically predictable" (like speed skating) versus those with high "variance" (like alpine skiing or the biathlon).

Let's dive into the world of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina outside of total medal odds, discuss the most popular sports to bet on, and develop some strategies to use for each.

What to bet on for the 2026 Winter Olympics

🥅 Hockey

Welcome to the "crown jewel" of the 2026 Winter Games, especially with NHL players returning in 2026. There will simply not be a better or more electric sport to wager on this year. The hockey tournament in Milano-Cortina begins on Feb. 11, and all eyes will be on the ice - and sportsbooks. But what are the most popular wagers to place before it all kicks off?

How to bet: For head-to-head matchups, you can place wagers on the moneyline, puck line, total goals scored, and player props - just like you would for an NHL game.

To win the Olympics: Get the updated Olympic hockey odds from our Gary Pearson, but of course, you can wager on the futures market and place a bet on the country you believe will win the whole tournament.

Pro tip: The favorites are heavy for a reason. If you're an NHL bettor, you'll likely stick with the core four teams - USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. These countries are a great place to start for not only your futures wagers, but also moneyline and puck line plays.

⛷️ Alpine skiing 

These are high-speed events where a single mistake ends a run. A much riskier bet to make, but with proper bankroll management, can be a ton of fun.

How to bet: One of the more popular markets here is betting on the podium finish (top 3). These wagers are much safer than betting on an outright winner in high-speed events.

Head-to-head matchups: Sportsbooks will pair two skiers (e.g., Mikaela Shiffrin vs. Petra Vlhova). Here, all you need is your skier to finish faster than the other.

Pro tip: Watch the weather. Late-starters in the downhill event often face "choppy" snow or changing wind, which can ruin the fastest skier's chances.

⛸️ Figure skating

One of the most-watched Winter Olympic sports, but one of the hardest to handicap due to subjective judging.

How to bet: Gold medalist: Usually dominated by heavy favorites like Ilia Malinin -it's a high-risk, high-reward future market.

Prop bets: You can often bet on whether a skater will land a specific jump (for example: "Will a Quad Axel be landed?").

Pro tip: Focus on Technical Score (TES). While "Artistry" is subjective, the base value of the jumps is fixed. A skater with three quads in their program has a massive math advantage before they even hit the ice. Keep an eye out for these markets and place your wagers accordingly.

❓Winter Olympic FAQs

When are the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin Friday, Feb. 6 and run through Sunday, Feb. 22. You can see the Olympic schedule for each event here.

Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milano Cortino, Italy.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be broadcast on NBC in the United States and on CBC in Canada.

Who won the most medals at the last Winter Olympics?

Norway won the most total medals (37) and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. They also led the gold medal count with 16.

Where are the next Winter Olympics?

The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps.