At a Glance
- Speed skating will feature in the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking over a century of Olympic competition.
- The venue is the Fiera Milano Exhibition Center, a 400-meter oval with seating for 6,500 spectators.
- Events run from February 7, 2026 to February 15, 2026, concluding with the mass-start finals.
Speed skating has been part of every Winter Games since its debut in 1924. The sport blends individual time trials with head-to-head races, and its inclusion has helped shape the modern Winter Olympics.
History of Speed Skating
The first Olympic speed-skating competition took place in Chamonix in 1924. Since then, the sport has evolved from simple time trials to include mass-start races, introduced in 2018, and team pursuit events, which test coordination among three skaters.
Dutch Dominance
Historically, the Netherlands has been the most successful speed-skating nation. They have earned more than 20% of all Olympic speed-skating medals. At the 2022 Beijing Games, Dutch skaters captured 12 of 42 medals and six of 14 golds.
2026 Venue Details
The Fiera Milano Exhibition Center, located in Milan, will host the 400-meter oval. The venue was chosen after the IOC rejected an outdoor track at Baselga di Piné and the 2006 Turin oval due to cost concerns. The center will also accommodate the International Broadcasting Center and Main Press Center.
The oval will feature stands for 6,500 fans, and a separate training track will be available for athletes.
Event Lineup
The Olympic program includes the following distances and formats:
- 500 m, 1 000 m, 1 500 m, 3 000 m, 5 000 m, 10 000 m
- Team pursuit (men and women)
- Mass start (men and women)
The schedule is designed to balance individual and team events, culminating in the mass-start finals.
Athlete Spotlight: Brittany Bowe
Brittany Bowe has earned two Olympic bronze medals in speed skating. She trains alongside Team USA hockey captain Hilary Knight, blending endurance with explosive power.
Competition Schedule
The events run from February 7, 2026 to February 15, 2026:
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 7 | 10:00 a.m. | Women’s 3,000 m |
| Feb. 8 | 10:00 a.m. | Men’s 5,000 m |
| Feb. 9 | 11:30 a.m. | Women’s 1,000 m |
| Feb. 10 | 12:30 p.m. | Men’s 1,000 m |
| Feb. 11 | 10:30 a.m. | Women’s 5,000 m |
| Feb. 12 | 10:00 a.m. | Men’s 10,000 m |
| Feb. 13 | 10:00 a.m. | Men’s 500 m |
| Feb. 14 | 10:00 a.m. | Women’s Team Pursuit (Qualifying) |
| Feb. 15 | 10:30 a.m. | Men’s & Women’s Team Pursuit |
| Feb. 18 | 8:30 a.m. | Men’s & Women’s Mass Start |
| Feb. 19 | 10:30 a.m. | Men’s 1,500 m |
| Feb. 20 | 10:30 a.m. | Women’s 1,500 m |
| Feb. 21 | 9:00 a.m. | Men’s & Women’s Mass Start |
All times are Eastern Time.
How to Watch
Viewers can follow the schedule on the Daniel J. Whitman schedule page for live coverage and updates.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature a century-old speed-skating tradition.
- The Fiera Milano Exhibition Center will host the 400-meter oval with 6,500 seats.
- The Dutch continue to dominate, while athletes like Brittany Bowe bring excitement to the sport.
- The competition spans nine days, with the mass-start finals on the final day.
