2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating Schedule: Full Events, Start Times, and How to Watch Ilia Malinin Go for Gold
The moment has finally arrived. After months of anticipation and a dominant short program performance earlier this week, the men’s figure skating competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics culminates today, Friday, February 13, 2026.
All eyes are on the Milano Ice Skating Arena as America’s “Quad God,” Ilia Malinin, looks to convert his world championship prowess into Olympic gold. Whether you are tuning in to see if Malinin lands the historic quadruple Axel or simply want to catch the artistry of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, we have you covered with the complete schedule, start times, and streaming information .
At a Glance: Men’s Figure Skating Key Dates
Unlike the team event (which concluded last weekend), the individual men’s competition is a two-part standalone event. Here are the non-negotiable dates you need in your calendar:
- Short Program: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (Completed)
- Free Skate (Medal Final): Friday, February 13, 2026
Detailed 2026 Men’s Figure Skating Schedule
All times have been confirmed by the International Skating Union (ISU) and official Olympic broadcasters. Please note that times vary significantly depending on your time zone.
Tuesday, February 10 – Men’s Short Program
This event has concluded. Ilia Malinin (USA) sits in 1st place, followed by Yuma Kagiyama (JPN).
| Event | Local Time (CET) | U.S. Eastern (ET) | U.S. Pacific (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Short Program | 6:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 9:30 a.m. |
Coverage was split between USA Network (early groups) and NBC (final groups) .
Friday, February 13 – Men’s Free Skate (Gold Medal Event)
Today is the main event. The scores from tonight’s free skate will be added to the short program scores to determine the medalists.
| Event | Local Time (CET) | U.S. Eastern (ET) | U.S. Pacific (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Free Skate | 7:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. |
| Venue Feed / Warm-Up | 5:45 p.m. | 11:45 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. |
When Does Ilia Malinin Actually Skate? (Start List)
A common frustration for viewers is assuming the event start time is when the favorite skates. It is not. The broadcast begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, but Malinin—as the leader after the short program—skates last.
Here are the exact start times for the medal favorites (all times Eastern Time):
- Yuma Kagiyama (JPN): 4:40 p.m. ET
- Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA): 4:32 p.m. ET
- Ilia Malinin (USA): 4:48 p.m. ET
Note: Malinin’s start time is approximately 10:48 p.m. local time in Milan.
How to Watch: TV & Streaming
If you are in the United States, NBCUniversal is your home for Olympic figure skating.
- Live TV: Tune in to USA Network at 1:00 p.m. ET for the first two groups. Coverage switches to the main NBC channel at approximately 3:00 p.m. ET for the final two groups battling for medals .
- Streaming: The exclusive home for streaming is Peacock. Subscribers can watch the main broadcast or choose the “Venue Feed” —a commentary-free stream featuring only the sounds of the arena and the music .
- Warm-Up: Die-hard fans can watch the final warm-up session on Peacock starting at 10:45 a.m. ET .
What Happened in the Short Program?
To understand tonight’s stakes, we have to look back at Tuesday. Ilia Malinin lived up to the hype, delivering a massive score that put him approximately five points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama. While this lead is not insurmountable, Malinin is widely regarded as the strongest free skater in the world. Andrew Torgashev and Maxim Naumov also represented Team USA in the final .
Beyond the Men: Upcoming Figure Skating Schedule
While the men conclude today, the Milano Cortina ice is far from empty. If you are looking ahead to the remaining events, here is what is next:
- Sunday, Feb. 15: Pairs Short Program (1:45 p.m. ET)
- Monday, Feb. 16: Pairs Free Skate (Medal Event – 2:00 p.m. ET)
- Tuesday, Feb. 17: Women’s Short Program (12:45 p.m. ET)
- Thursday, Feb. 19: Women’s Free Skate (Medal Event – 1:00 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, Feb. 21: Exhibition Gala (2:00 p.m. ET)
Final Thoughts
Today marks a potential changing of the guard in men’s figure skating. Ilia Malinin has the chance to bring the gold medal back to the United States for the first time since Evan Lysacek in 2010. With a lead in hand and a history of landing the most difficult jumps in the sport, the “Quad God” is poised to ascend the throne.
Set your alarms for 1:00 p.m. ET, but settle in for the long haul. The real show starts at 4:48 p.m. ET.
