Dec 2025 – South Korea prepares for a packed 2026 calendar with four major international events – the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics, the World Baseball Classic, the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Games – and sets a goal of a top‑10 finish in the Winter Games, especially in short‑track speed skating[14].

Jan 7, 2026 – The Jincheon National Training Center opens in North Chungcheong Province, and KSOC president Ryu Seung‑min declares 2026 “the year of K‑sports,” pledging increased budget, equipment and medical support for athletes[13].

Jan 7, 2026 – U.S. ski jumping officials announce that the final Olympic roster will be released by Jan 20, finalising selections for the expanded program that adds a women’s large‑hill event and replaces the men’s team with a super‑team[11].

Jan 26, 2026 – Team USA publishes a record‑size roster of 232 athletes – the largest U.S. Winter Games team ever – featuring 98 returning Olympians and 18 champions, chosen primarily on world‑circuit standings[6][9].

Jan 26, 2026 – The International Olympic Committee confirms the Games will open on Feb 6 in Milan and Cortina, with over 90 nations competing in 16 sports for a record 195 medals and the debut of ski mountaineering[7][10].

Jan 31, 2026 – UK Sport sets a target of four to eight medals for Team GB, and Chef de mission Eve Muirhead says the team has an “opportunity to get the most we ever have” at a Winter Games[1].

Jan 31, 2026 – Former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry becomes the first female IOC president and calls the sustainability‑focused, multi‑city model “the new normal” for future Olympics[1].

Jan 31, 2026 – Women compete in a record 53.4 % of the 116 medal events, the highest proportion ever, reflecting the IOC’s push for gender equality across the programme[1].

Feb 2, 2026 – Hundreds of protesters gather in Milan to object to the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents accompanying the American delegation led by Vice President JD Vance[3].

Feb 2, 2026 – Vice President JD Vance heads the U.S. delegation, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ambassador Tilman Feritta and former Olympians, underscoring the political prominence of the Games[3].

Feb 2, 2026 – Norway tops the all‑time Winter Olympic medal table with 405 total medals and 148 golds as the Milan‑Cortina Games commence[3].

Feb 2, 2026 – The former Soviet Union’s historic tally of 194 Winter Olympic medals remains counted separately from Russia, highlighting the legacy of past geopolitical structures[3].

Feb 4, 2026 – Mixed doubles curling round‑robin starts, becoming the only sport contested daily throughout the Games and beginning before the opening ceremony[2].

Feb 4, 2026 – North Korea launches a domestic winter‑sports competition with about 50 events across five disciplines, describing it as “an important opportunity to advance winter sports skills” after failing to qualify for Milan‑Cortina[12].

Feb 5, 2026 – The official ticket portal and MilanoCortina2026 app offer a youth‑discount “Promo26” that gives anyone under 26 two tickets for the price of one, warning that unauthorized sellers provide invalid tickets[2].

Feb 6, 2026 – Twin Leonardo‑da‑Vinci‑inspired cauldrons ignite in Milan’s Arco della Pace and Cortina’s Piazza Dibona, with performances by Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and others, officially opening the most geographically dispersed Winter Olympics[2][4].

Feb 6, 2026 – Italy’s Olympic Committee sets a minimum target of 19 medals despite injuries to flag‑bearer Federica Brignone, freestyle skier Flora Tabanelli and alpine hopeful Marta Bassino[1].

Feb 6, 2026 – NHL‑contracted players return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2018, bolstering the United States’ hopes for a men’s gold medal[1].

Feb 7, 2026 – The first medals are awarded, with the United States figure‑skating team, led by quadruple‑axel specialist Ilia Malinin, expected to dominate the rink[3].

Feb 22, 2026 – The closing ceremony takes place in Verona, concluding the Games that feature 116 medal events across 16 sports and the debut of ski mountaineering, mixed‑team skeleton and women’s doubles luge[2][4].

Mar 5‑17, 2026 – The World Baseball Classic runs in Tokyo Dome, with South Korea facing Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei and the Czech Republic in Pool C[14].

Jun 11‑Jul 19, 2026 – The FIFA World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico; South Korea competes in Group A with matches hosted in Mexico[14].

Sep 19‑Oct 4, 2026 – The Asian Games are held in Nagoya, Japan, where South Korea aims to improve on its 42‑gold haul from Hangzhou 2023 and contend for podium spots across 42 sports[14].