This page is about the Winter Olympics. Go here for the list of summer Olympic Games sports.

Winter Olympic Sports for 2026

The current list of Winter Olympic Sports has increased with the addition of ski mountaineering for the Winter Olympics in 2026. It is the first change in the number of sports since skeleton was added to the program in 2002.

In 2026, the new events are: men's and women's dual moguls, women's doubles luge, women's large hill ski jump, and mixed team skeleton (while the alpine mixed team parallel event was removed).

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing

The 16 sport disciplines of the Winter Olympics are categorized into three main categories: (1) ice sports, (2) alpine, skiing and snowboarding events, and (3) Nordic events. In each of these sports categories there are more specific events, as listed.

Ice Sports

  • Bobsled (Women's monobob, Two-man, Two woman and Four-man)
  • Luge (Men's and Women Singles, Men's and Women Doubles and Mixed-Team Relay)
  • Skeleton (men's and women's, mixed team)
  • Ice Hockey (men's and women's)
  • Figure Skating (Men's singles, Ladies' singles, Pairs, Team and Ice Dancing)
  • Speed Skating  (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, 5,000m, 10,000m, Team Pursuit, Mass Start)
  • Short Track Speed Skating (500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, 5,000m Relay for men, and 3,000m Relay for women)
  • Curling (men's, women's, and mixed doubles)

Discontinued Sports and Events

Here are just some of the sports or events that were once part of the Winter Olympics. See more on discontinued Winter Olympic Sports.

  • Military patrol (a precursor to the biathlon) was a medal sport in 1924. It was also a demonstration sport in 1928, 1936 and 1948.
  • In figure skating, an event called men's special figures was on the program only once in 1908.
  • Alpinism — an Olympic Prize for Alpinism was awarded in 1924, 1932 and 1936 for the most notable alpinism (mountaineering) feat accomplished during the previous four years.
Olympic Biathlon

Olympic Biathlon

Demonstration sports

The following sports have been part of the Winter Olympic program as a demonstration sport at some stage. See more on Demonstration Winter Olympic Sports.

Historic Demonstration Sports

Curling & Variants

Skiing Demonstrations

Future Sports

There are always a number of sports or events that are lobbying to be included on the Winter Olympic Games program. Such sports include: team alpine skiing, ski-orienteering, winter triathlon (involving running, mountain biking and cross-country skiing all on snow), telemark skiing and bandy.

Other Winter Sports Trivia

Pro Tip: Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been on the program at every Winter Olympics since 1924. These are the core sports that define the Winter Olympics tradition.

  • There are four Winter Olympic Games Sports that are held indoors: Speed skating, figure skating, curling, and ice hockey.
  • Figure skating is the only sport with mixed events (in which males and females compete together). Only one sport is for males only: Nordic Combined. More about women at the Winter Olympics.
  • Cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating have been on the program at every Winter Olympics since 1924.
  • There were reports of bandy being added to the sports program in 2014, but the IOC rejected their submission. Instead, Sochi hosted the 2014 Bandy World Championships around the time of the Olympics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sports are in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature 16 sport disciplines. Ski mountaineering is the newest addition, marking the first change in the number of sports since skeleton was added in 2002.

What are the three main categories of Winter Olympic sports?

Winter Olympic sports are divided into three categories: ice sports (like hockey and figure skating), alpine/skiing/snowboarding events, and Nordic events (like biathlon and cross-country skiing). Each category includes multiple specific disciplines and events.

Which Winter Olympic sports are held indoors?

Four Winter Olympic sports are held indoors: speed skating, figure skating, curling, and ice hockey. All other winter sports take place outdoors on mountains or outdoor tracks.

Why isn't ringette an Olympic sport?

Ringette, despite having over 35,000 players in Canada alone, hasn't met the International Olympic Committee's criteria for inclusion. Sports need global participation, international governance, and meet specific requirements across multiple countries to qualify for Olympic status.

What sports have been at every Winter Olympics?

Six sports have appeared at every Winter Olympics since 1924: cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, nordic combined, ski jumping, and speed skating. These form the traditional core of the Winter Games.

Old Comments

Historical user comments from the original page:

  • Hello, I am a ringette goalie for Fraser Valley, which is a Langley BC team. I am 13, and I am very curious why ringette is not an Olympic sport. Many people play this sport all over Canada, and in other places around the world. In Canada alone over 35,000 people play ringette. I am very interested in why ringette is not considered an Olympic sport. Hockey is much like ringette, but ringette is much more interesting. I love this sport so much. I wish ringette could be recognized as an Olympic sport because it is just as important as any other sport, and deserves to be recognized. I would love it if you guys can consider it, that would mean the world to me and so many other people who love the sport as much as I do. (from hailee, Jan 2013)
  • The winter Olympics is literally 15 different types of sliding (from Dave, Nov 2012)
  • I want to see almost winter sports on TV. I also follow the winter sports news. I recommend winter sports as the alternative choice of the TV programs. If the popular sports seasons are over, you can watch the sports on the snow and ice. (from Brina Hesjedal, Oct 2012)
  • Do you think the sport Ringette will ever be a trial sport in the Olympics?
  • Bla bla bla. The Summer Olympics are way better! :-) (from Sasha, 13 Aug 2012)
  • Dancing is not a sport. ice dancing, on the contrary, is a sport because of the high physical demand it has unlike regular dancing. basically it's figure skating with a more artistic touch to it. dance is an art not a sport. (from billybob, Aug 2012)
  • Awesome to watch them there the best in the world! (from cana satre, July 2012)
  • I wish i could join the Olympics and become a champion or earn a gold medal! (from Dan Winston, June 2012)
  • I would like a torch in winter sports (from will, May 2012)
  • Olympic shooting is the best! (from John Fuller, April 2012)
  • We love watching the Olympics,but if global warning comes then it will ruin it for every one so we cant watch it or any thing cause it will be to hot for them to do any thing. (from ellie and molly, Feb 2012)
  • I love watching the Olympics on TV. I wish that I could join the Olympics (from Tina Monias, May 2011)
  • The winter Olympics are cool (Jan 2011)
  • I think the sports are really helping the athletes all over the world (from aliza, Jan 2011)
  • It's truly awesome. Winter Olympics are really good (from aashiaana, Jan 2011)
  • I was wondering if the winter Olympic board are looking at adding a fast and growing sport that I think should be on the big stage. This sport that I am talking about is broomball, and I love this game and broomball international stages its world championships every couple of years in different countries. Like I said earlier, awesome game and the people of the world need to see this game on display. (from nick garofalo, Dec 2010)