2026 Winter Olympics Google Doodle Celebrates “Sport of Curling”

The Google Doodle for the 2026 Winter Olympics celebrates the sport of curling by showing a curler moving a stone through the "O"s in the Google logo. The Google Doodle today highlights the beginning of the Winter Olympics Games. 

Released on February 4, 2026, it promotes the preliminary competitions such as curling before the full schedule of events on February 06-22. According to the International Olympic Committee, more than 2900 athletes from 90 countries will compete in 116 events.

Read about the Winter Olympics 2026 Google Doodle today, its meaning, curling, sport rules, Winter Olympics host country, and opening ceremony.

(Source: Google Doodle Curling 2026)

2026 Winter Olympics Google Doodle Celebrates “Sport of Curling”

Google Doodle today is of a curler rolling a 44-pound granite stone on ice, with sweepers pushing it towards the target house in the logo. Released worldwide on February 4, 2026, it commemorates the early rounds of curling at Milano Cortina 2026.

This fun animation conveys the strategy of sweeping, where the ice melts for better control. It is reminiscent of the 2018 PyeongChang Doodles, where "chess on ice" was introduced to the world.

What Does the Winter Olympics 2026 Google Doodle Today Means?

Today’s Google Doodle celebrates curling as a starting sport with prelims in progress, hinting at the tradition and innovation that Milano Cortina 2026 promises. Winter Olympics 2026 doodle encourages clicks to learn how to play while counting down to the opening day.

What is Curling?

The Winter Olympics have included curling since 1998. Curling is a team sport played on ice, in which players slide large, polished granite stones (up to 44lbs) towards a circular target called the house. 

Curling is often referred to as "chess on ice" because it requires both physical skill and strategic thinking, as curlers use brushes to change the surface of the ice in order to affect the trajectory of the stone after it has been released.

How to Play Curling?

The thrower pushes off with a starting block called a hack, sliding forward to release the stone with a gentle twist of the handle to impart spin. Meanwhile, as the stone is in flight, two other members of the thrower's team sweep the ice in front of the stone to create heat, which melts the ice in front of the stone, allowing it to travel farther and straighter.

What are the Main Rules of Curling?

The ultimate goal of curling is to accumulate points by having your stones closer to the center of the house than the opposing team's stones at the end of an "end." A game of curling is divided into 8 to 10 ends, and the team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner. Below are the main rules for curling:

Curling Rule 1- Only one team can score in an end, and they earn one point for every stone that is closer to the button (the center) than the closest opposing stone.

Curling Rule 2- A stone must completely cross the far hog line to be in play; otherwise, it is removed from play if it is released before the near hog line or fails to cross the far hog line.

Curling Rule 3- The team that did not score in the last end gets the hammer, which is the privilege of throwing the last stone in the current end.

Curling Rule 4- If a player accidentally touches a moving stone with his broom or body, it is called a "burned stone" and is usually removed from play.

Which Country is hosting the Winter Olympics in 2026?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Italy across Milano Cortina. Games are divided between Milano’s arenas and Cortina d'Ampezzo’s alpine sports, revisiting the Cortina d'Ampezzo legacy of 1956. 

This will mark the first dual-city Games with events in Lombardy and Veneto.

Milano will stage ice sports, while mountain sports will feature snow sports. New sports such as ski mountaineering will be added to 116 medal events.

Key facts:

• 12 venues total, emphasizing sustainability.

• 90+ nations, 2900+ athletes competing.

• February 06-22 full schedule post-prelims.

Check Who will Host the 2028 Olympics?

What Time is the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics 2026?

The opening ceremony starts on February 6, 2026, at 08:00 p.m. CET (local time) at Milano's San Siro Stadium. 

It is broadcast live on NBC, Peacock, and other networks around the world and combines Italian culture with athlete parades.

Fireworks displays are to come. The curling and hockey prelims kick off the games, finishing with the hockey finals on February 22.

(Source: Olympics 2026)

Do you know Which Was the First Country to Host the Olympics?

Conclusion

Google's 2026 Winter Olympics Doodle celebrates the strategic silence of curling, bringing fans together for Milano Cortina magic. It is a reminder that sports bring us together through skill and joy, cheering on the world from February 6-22.