The spotlight shifts to the women’s singles free skate at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, where medals will be decided and pressure will peak. With Japan’s Ami Nakai leading after the short program and Team USA’s Alysa Liu in striking distance, Thursday’s long program promises drama, artistry and razor-thin margins.
If you’re planning to tune in, here’s everything you need to know — from timings to streaming options and who to watch from Team USA.
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When and Where Is the Women’s Free Skate?
- Date: Thursday, February 19
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Milano Ice Skating Arena
- Re-air: 1:30 a.m. ET on USA
The free skate — often called the long program — will determine the final standings. Scores from the short program carry over, which means every jump combination, spin and step sequence could change the podium.
Where to Watch Live on TV
The women’s free skate will air live on NBC at 1 p.m. ET. If you miss the live broadcast, USA Network will re-air the event at 1:30 a.m. ET.
Cable subscribers can also stream through participating TV providers.
How to Stream Online
The full event will stream live on Peacock, which is the official digital home of the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage in the United States.
- Warm-ups begin at 10:30 a.m. ET on Peacock.
- Live competition coverage starts at 1 p.m. ET.
Peacock’s Premium plan offers access to live Olympic events along with replays and highlights. Some live-TV streaming platforms such as DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV also carry NBC for viewers who prefer a cable-style bundle.
Where Things Stand After the Short Program
Heading into the free skate:
- Ami Nakai (Japan) – 1st
- Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) – 2nd
- Alysa Liu (USA) – 3rd
Alysa Liu remains firmly in medal contention, but the margin between the top skaters is tight. One under-rotation or stumble could shift the rankings quickly.
Meet Team USA’s Women’s Lineup
Team USA is represented by three standout athletes in women’s singles:
- Alysa Liu
- Amber Glenn
- Isabeau Levito
The trio, often referred to as the “Blade Angels,” bring different styles to the ice — from powerful technical layouts to expressive choreography. With the pressure of Olympic finals, composure will matter just as much as technical content.
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Full Figure Skating Schedule (Remaining Events)
- Thursday, Feb. 19 – Women’s Free Skate (1 p.m. ET, NBC & Peacock)
- Saturday, Feb. 21 – Exhibition Gala (Peacock and NBC, multiple time slots)
The exhibition gala is typically a lighter, celebratory event featuring medalists and fan favorites performing without competitive scoring.
Why the Free Skate Matters Most
In figure skating, the short program sets the stage. The free skate decides everything. Skaters have more time, higher-value elements and greater opportunity to either build momentum or lose control.
For Team USA fans, the big question is simple: Can Alysa Liu climb from third into gold medal territory? Or will Japan maintain its dominance?
Either way, Thursday’s session is shaping up to be one of the most compelling figure skating finals of the Milan Cortina Games.
