Winter Olympics live stream: how to watch Beijing 2022 online, schedule and mroe

Like competitors in the luge or the super-G, the 2022 Winter Olympics is heading rapidly to its finale. But with Sunday's closing ceremony looming, there are still plenty of gold medals waiting to be handed out in the likes of the bobsleigh, ice hockey, figure skating and curling.

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 - including all of the best ways to watch the Games absolutely free!

Skeleton, speed skating 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.

Whatever your favorite 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

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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.

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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 4
• Alpine Skiing - February 6-19
• Bobsleigh - February 13-20
• Biathlon - February 5-19
• Cross-Country Skiing - February 5-20
• Curling - February 2-20
• Freestyle Skiing - February 3-19
• Figure Skating - February 4-20
• Ice Hockey - February 3-20
• Luge - February 5-10
• Nordic Combined - February 9-17
• Snowboarding - February 5-15
• Ski Jumping - February 5-14
• Skeleton - February 10-12
• Speed Skating - February 5-19
• Short Track Speed Skating - February 5-16
• Winter 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 Bobsleigh
• Mixed team Aerials Freestyle Skiing
• Mixed team Ski Jumping
• Mixed team Snowboard Cross
• Mixed 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.