The coolest show on Earth, the 2022 Winter Olympics, is officially underway. Today is the big one for the US and the Brits as the two go head-to-head in the curling men’s semi-final. Perhaps the biggest side show of all will be in the figure skating, though, as Kamila Valieva competes in the free skate programme leaving questions over whether there will or won’t be a medals ceremony at all.
Dive into all the coverage you need as we show you the best ways to watch a Winter Olympics 2022 live stream, wherever you are in the world. They’re very often free.
Dates: Friday, February 4 – Sunday, February 20
Host city: Beijing, China
FREE live streams: BBC iPlayer (UK) | 7Plus (AU) | CBC (CA)
Every event: Peacock TV (US) | Discovery+ (EU)
Watch anywhere: try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free
Bobsleigh, skeleton, luge and ski jumping are the kinds of events you probably only follow once every four years, but when they’re on TV there’s nothing else you’d rather be doing. Blink and you’ll miss them though, with only a handful of events on the Beijing 2022 program.
Curling, figure skating and ice hockey, meanwhile, are some of the slower burners, with the action eclipsing the Games in some instances. They’re probably the most accessible Winter Olympics sports too, no matter what sort of climate you live in. Follow the right storyline and you might just be inspired to strap on a pair of blades or pick up a broom yourself.
Whatever your favourite snow sport, you can find out exactly when it’s on in our Beijing 2022 schedule below with a day-by-day breakdown of the Winter Olympics events calendar.
It’s the biggest Winter Olympics ever for 2022. There are 109 medal events set to be contested across 15 disciplines and seven sports, and whichever country or athlete you follow, the good news is that it’s easy to get a FREE Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics live stream – just follow our guide to watch the Games online and from anywhere.
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Winter Olympics 2022: watch every single event
Discovery+ (Europe, including Eurosport Player) and Peacock (US) are the two places where you can catch every single Winter Olympics 2022 session and event. Luge, monobob, figure skating, you name, they’re showing it.
Discovery+ has a 7-day free trial and half-price deal on its annual subscription (£29.99). Peacock is $4.99 for ad-supported access. Subscribers to both Peacock and Discovery+ (and Eurosport Player) can watch either service while travelling abroad by using a VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN. Full details below.
How to live stream Winter Olympics 2022 from outside your country
Without wishing to state the obvious, the Winter Olympics is a global event, and there should be a way to watch no matter where you find yourself during the gold-frenzy fortnight. But if you are abroad and struggling to see it – or if you just want the comfort and language of your home nation’s coverage – then geo-restrictons may stand in your way of getting a Beijing 2022 live stream.
But there’s a really easy way around that problem. By downloading and installing a VPN, you can effectively trick your computer into thinking that it’s back at home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage without having to find an illegal stream – assuming you comply with the broadcaster’s fine print, of course.
Use a VPN to watch Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics from anywhere
ExpressVPN – get the world’s best VPN
We’ve put all the major VPNs through their paces and we rate ExpressVPN as our top pick, thanks to its speed, ease-of-use and strong security features. It’s also compatible with just about any streaming device out there, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation, as well as Android and Apple mobiles and, best of all, it has a fantastic track record of unlocking the hardiest of streaming services around the world.
Sign up for an annual plan now and get an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. And if you change your mind within the first 30 days, let them know and they’ll give you your money back without a quibble.
How to use a VPN
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate location
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream – so if you’re from the UK, just head to BBC iPlayer
FREE Winter Olympics live stream: how to watch Beijing 2022 online in the UK
As ever, the BBC is providing FREE coverage of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
As well as hosting more than 300 hours of live coverage on BBC One and BBC Two, there’ll be an additional feed on BBC iPlayer, which is the best way to live stream Beijing 2022. It doesn’t cost a penny to stream and there are apps for most devices.
However, the BBC won’t have all the action. If you want to guarantee every event and every session then you’ll need the Discovery+.
Discovery+ is your best option for the most comprehensive Winter Olympics coverage, with a subscription costing £6.99 per month or £59.99 per year after a 7-day FREE trial. (Current Eurosport Player subscribers will get the same access ahead of their Discovery+ migration. There is also some TV coverage on Eurosport 1 and 2)
Not in the UK during the Winter Olympics? No worries – residents of the country can just download and install a VPN to port themselves back home to a UK location, then watch live as usual.
Watch Winter Olympics 2022: live stream the US
NBC’s Tokyo 2020 coverage was a confusing mess, but the network has made things simple for Beijing 2022 – you can live stream all of the Winter Olympics on Peacock TV.
That’s every event across every sport, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
Peacock costs just $4.99 a month for an ad-supported version of the service that offers coverage not only of Beijing 2022, but also loads of EPL soccer games, the Super Bowl, every big WWE event, plus plenty more live sports.
– Click through to Peacock TV to start watching now
NBC will also be providing some Winter Olympics coverage on TV, which you can live stream directly through the NBC website if you have the channel on cable. Cable-cutters can use Sling and FuboTV, but Peacock is the main hub for all things Beijing 2022.
If you’re abroad right now, you can still tune in just like you would at home with the help of a good VPN. Or consult our guide to the best Peacock VPN options for more details.
How to watch Winter Olympics FREE: live stream Beijing 2022 in Australia
Aussie sports fans can watch the Winter Olympics for FREE Down Under, thanks to Channel 7.
And if you’d like to stream the action from Beijing online instead, Channel 7’s coverage is also available to watch via the network’s 7Plus streaming service.
The even better news is that it’s looking like coverage is really at a maximum, and you can pick and choose what you want to watch live as it’s happening. A fantastic win for Aussie viewers!
Not in Australia? Use a VPN if you’re away from home, in order to tap into your usual Winter Olympics coverage.
Watch Winter Olympics: live stream Beijing 2022 in Canada for FREE
CBC is providing comprehensive coverage of the Winter Olympics in Canada, which is great because its coverage is available absolutely FREE on its website and apps.
And on top of that, a premium (ad-free) subscription to the channel’s standalone streaming service, CBC Gem, offers a 1-month FREE trial. After that, a subscription costs CA$4.99 per month.
And don’t forget that using a VPN is the way to get your regular Winter Olympics live stream if you’re away from Canada during the event.
Watch the Winter Olympics: live stream Beijing 2022 in New Zealand
Winter Olympics coverage in New Zealand comes courtesy of Sky Sport, which is available as part of a range of pay TV packages.
Subscribers can watch online using the country’s Sky Go service, while cord-cutters and anyone else can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform – where a weekly pass costs $19.99 and a monthly pass costs $39.99 after a 7-day free trial.
Anyone in New Zealand from abroad or vice-versa can use the VPN route outlined earlier to access their preferred coverage just like they would at home.
More ways to watch the Winter Olympics online in 2022
As we say, there won’t be many places around the world where a live stream of the Winter Olympics in 2021 won’t be available. Just some may be more free to watch than others.
There isn’t a more comprehensive or clear to understand list on the internet than the one on Wikipedia. If you want to know who’s showing a Beijing 2022 live stream where you are, then check out the list there.
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics schedule and events
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony – February 4Alpine Skiing – February 6-19Bobsleigh – February 13-20Biathlon – February 5-19Cross-Country Skiing – February 5-20Curling – February 2-20Freestyle Skiing – February 3-19Figure Skating – February 4-20Ice Hockey – February 3-20Luge – February 5-10Nordic Combined – February 9-17Snowboarding – February 5-15Ski Jumping – February 5-14Skeleton – February 10-12Speed Skating – February 5-19Short Track Speed Skating – February 5-16Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony – February 20
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics events calendar by day
(All times ET. Add 5 hours for GMT; add 16 hours for AEDT; subtract 3 hours for PT.)
Wednesday, February 2
7.05am – Curling
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Thursday, February 3
5am – Freestyle Skiing
8.05pm – Curling
9.02pm – Figure Skating
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Friday, February 4
7am – Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
8pm – Curling
9.45pm – Snowboarding
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Saturday, February 5
12.15am – Ski Jumping
12.45am – Cross-Country Skiing
2am – Biathlon
3.30am – Speed Skating
5am – Freestyle Skiing
6am – Short Track Speed Skating
6.10am – Luge
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Figure Skating
8.30pm – Snowboarding
10pm – Alpine Skiing
Sunday, February 6
12am – Cross-Country Skiing
3.30am – Speed Skating
3.40am – Ice Hockey
5am – Freestyle Skiing
5am – Ski Jumping
6.30am – Luge
8.05pm – Curling
8.22pm – Figure Skating
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
9.15pm – Alpine Skiing
11pm – Snowboarding
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Monday, February 7
3.30am – Speed Skating
4am – Biathlon
4.30am – Short Track Speed Skating
5.28am – Ski Jumping
6.50am – Luge
8.22pm – Figure Skating
9pm – Freestyle Skiing
9.40pm – Snowboarding
10pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Tuesday, February 8
1.05am – Curling
5am – Cross-Country Skiing
5.30am – Biathlon
5.30am – Speed Skating
6.50am – Luge
8.30pm – Snowboarding
9.15pm – Alpine Skiing
10pm – Freestyle Skiing
Wednesday, February 9
2am – Nordic Combined
3.40am – Ice Hockey
6am – Short Track Speed Skating
7.05am – Curling
9.20am – Luge
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Snowboarding
8.30pm – Skeleton
8.38pm – Figure Skating
9.30pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Thursday, February 10
12am – Cross-Country Skiing
6am – Freestyle Skiing
8.30am – Luge
9am – Speed Skating
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Snowboarding
8.30pm – Skeleton
10pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Friday, February 11
12am – Cross-Country Skiing
3am – Speed Skating
4am – Biathlon
4.45am – Ski Jumping
6am – Short Track Speed Skating
8.05pm – Curling
9pm – Snowboarding
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Saturday, February 12
2.30am – Cross-Country Skiing
3am – Speed Skating
4am – Biathlon
5am – Ski Jumping
6.07am – Figure Skating
7.20am – Skeleton
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Bobsleigh
9pm – Freestyle Skiing
9.15pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Sunday, February 13
2am – Cross-Country Skiing
4am – Biathlon
6am – Short Track Speed Skating
8am – Speed Skating
8.05pm – Curling
8.22pm – Figure Skating
8.30pm – Bobsleigh
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
8.30pm – Snowboarding
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Monday, February 14
5.10am – Ski Jumping
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
8.30pm – Snowboarding
10pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Tuesday, February 15
1.30am – Speed Skating
2am – Nordic Combined
4am – Biathlon
5.08am – Figure Skating
9.15am – Bobsleigh
8.05pm – Curling
9.15pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Wednesday, February 16
2.45am – Biathlon
4am – Cross-Country Skiing
6am – Freestyle Skiing
6.30am – Short Track Speed Skating
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
9.30pm – Alpine Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Thursday, February 17
2am – Nordic Combined
3.30am – Speed Skating
5.08am – Figure Skating
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Friday, February 18
1.05am – Curling
3.30am – Speed Skating
4am – Biathlon
5.38am – Figure Skating
9am – Bobsleigh
8.30pm – Bobsleigh
8.30pm – Freestyle Skiing
10pm – Alpine Skiing
Saturday, February 19
1am – Cross-Country Skiing
1.05am – Curling
2am – Speed Skating
4am – Biathlon
6.08am – Figure Skating
8.10am – Ice Hockey
8.05pm – Curling
8.30pm – Bobsleigh
11pm – Figure Skating
11.10pm – Ice Hockey
Sunday, February 20
1.30am – Cross-Country Skiing
7am – Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony (exact start time TBC)
Are there any new sports for 2022 Winter Olympics?
No new sports have been added to the Winter Olympics program, but there are seven new events to look forward to:
Men’s and women’s Big Air Freestyle Skiing Women’s Monobob BobsleighMixed team Aerials Freestyle SkiingMixed team Ski JumpingMixed team Snowboard CrossMixed team Short Track Speed Skating
Where are the 2022 Winter Olympics being held?
Beijing is playing host to the Winter Olympics for the first time. In fact, this is the first time that the Winter Games have come to China at all, which has seen close neighbors Japan and South Korea host the event in previous years.
And here’s another first: Beijing is the first city in the world to host both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics.
Both the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony will be held at the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium – officially the Beijing National Stadium – and there are three Winter Olympics Villages, in the hub of Beijing, in Yanqing in the outskirts of the capital, and in neighboring Zhangjiakou.
When are the 2022 Winter Paralympics?
The 2022 Winter Paralympics begin shortly after the end of the Winter Olympics. The event is scheduled to start on Friday, March 4, and will run for just over a week, coming to an end on March 13.
Will there be domestic spectators at the Winter Olympics?
With Covid-19 rearing its head once again through the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, any decision on whether to allow spectators to attend the Games is yet to be made by China, which has a “Zero Covid” strategy aimed at halting all transmissions of the virus.
There have been reports suggesting that if fans were to be allowed to attend, they’ll be told to clap instead of cheer, which would itself make for a rather eerie atmosphere, more akin to a night at the opera than elite sport.
Every decision made about Beijing 2022 will be done with considerable amounts of scrutiny as the global health crisis continues to dictate large scale events and the drawing in of large crowds.
