The 2026 Winter Olympics concludes on Sunday as the curtain falls on Milano Cortina with a spectacular ceremony at the historic Verona Arena.

After more than two weeks of intense competition across Northern Italy, the Games will wrap up on 22 February.

While five sporting events remain on the final day, the focus will shift in the evening to the official handover and celebration.

How to watch the closing ceremony

Live coverage of the closing ceremony will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK on BBC Two from 19:00 GMT.

Viewers can also stream the spectacle live via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

For subscription holders, TNT Sports 2 offers extended coverage beginning at 18:00 GMT, available to stream on discovery+.

International viewers in the United States can watch via NBC from 14:30 ET, while Canadian fans can tune into CBC from 15:30 AT.

What to expect in Verona

The ceremony takes place at the Verona Arena, a stunning Roman amphitheatre that serves as a dramatic backdrop distinct from the snowy slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Organisers have titled the show ‘Beauty in Action’, promising a celebration of the athletes’ achievements and Italian culture.

Traditional protocols will be observed, including the extinguishing of the Olympic flame and the parade of nations.

The event also features the formal handover of the Olympic flag to the hosts of the 2030 Winter Games, the French Alps.

Final day sporting schedule

Before the festivities begin, the final medals of the Games must be decided on Sunday morning and afternoon.

The action commences at 09:00 GMT with the four-man bobsleigh and the women’s 30km mass start classic in cross-country skiing.

Women’s curling follows shortly after at 10:05 GMT.

The sporting drama concludes with the blue-riband event of the Winter Games, as the men’s ice hockey gold medal game faces off at 13:10 GMT.

Tyson Fury will end his retirement to face Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 April 2026.

The two-time heavyweight champion is stepping back between the ropes despite previously hanging up his gloves following a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Speculation has mounted over recent months regarding the Manchester-born fighter’s future after he shared training updates on social media.

Tottenham stage for heavyweight clash

It has now been confirmed that the ‘Gypsy King’ will headline a show in north London against Makhmudov.

The bout marks a significant return to the capital for Fury, with the event scheduled for a Saturday night in the spring of 2026.

While the contest will be broadcast live on streaming platform Netflix, organisers have released immediate ticket details for fans wishing to attend.

Ticket prices and availability

General admission tickets are currently available via Ticketmaster for the major heavyweight event.

Prices for the bout range significantly, starting at approximately £50 for standard entry and rising to £2,000 for premier seating.

For supporters seeking a more exclusive experience, specific hospitality packages have also been released through official partners.

VIP package breakdown

Premium retailer Seat Unique is offering several tiers of hospitality for the fight night, ranging from lounge access to full dining experiences.

The available packages include:

Rory McIlroy produced a superb display in testing conditions to claim a share of the clubhouse lead on a disrupted opening day at the Genesis Invitational.

The Northern Irishman carded a five-under 66 at Riviera Country Club despite wind, rain and a three-hour suspension.

McIlroy dropped just one shot to join American Jacob Bridgeman at the top of the leaderboard.

It was a contrasting day for world number one Scottie Scheffler, who endured a miserable start in Los Angeles.

McIlroy masters the elements

The four-time major winner produced the shot of the day with a spectacular par-save on the sixth hole.

Facing the unique on-green bunker, he chipped over the hazard to keep his momentum going.

“I’ve started to just really enjoy this style of golf,” said McIlroy.

“If you had asked me 10 years ago, I didn’t enjoy these conditions, but it’s been a shift in a mindset and maybe just a continuation of trying to build upon the skill set that I have.”

“Then when it does get to conditions like this, I’m a lot more prepared. I wouldn’t say I enjoy them, but I can certainly handle them better.”

Scheffler’s streak in danger

While McIlroy flourished, Scheffler found himself five over par through just 10 holes before darkness halted play.

The American’s troubles included a damaging double bogey at the par-four eighth.

This difficult start threatens his remarkable run of 18 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.

Chasing pack in contention

Aaron Rai was threatening the clubhouse leaders before the suspension, sitting on six under with two holes remaining.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox remains in the hunt on four under par.

England’s Marco Penge is part of a seven-strong group sitting one shot further back.

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson has obliterated the women’s indoor 800m world record with a sensational performance in Lievin, France.

The British star clocked a time of one minute 54.87 seconds to rewrite the history books on Thursday evening.

She shaved almost a full second off the previous global best of 1:55.82, set by Slovenia’s Jolanda Ceplak.

A date with destiny

Remarkably, Ceplak’s record had stood since 3 March 2002, the exact day Hodgkinson was born.

The 22-year-old has now surpassed a mark that had remained untouchable for her entire lifetime.

This performance in Lievin further cements her status as the dominant force in middle-distance running following her gold medal success at the Paris Games.

Shattering the ceiling

Ceplak’s long-standing time was considered one of the toughest records in athletics until the Wigan athlete’s intervention.

Hodgkinson looked in total control throughout the race, pulling away from the field to stop the clock well inside the previous world best.

It marks another significant milestone in a career that continues to reach new heights.

The Italian Sports Federation has lodged a formal complaint regarding judging standards at the 2026 Winter Olympics following the controversial disqualification of home favourite Pietro Sighel.

The host nation’s governing body expressed deep frustration after the short-track speed skater crashed during his men’s 500m heat.

Sighel fell to the ice following a collision during an attempted overtake involving Canadian rival Maxime Laoun.

Despite video reviews, officials opted to disqualify the Italian rather than reinstate him, sparking a heated dispute regarding the officiating in Milano Cortina.

‘Inconsistent and contradictory decisions’

The ruling triggered an immediate backlash from the Italian Sports Federation (FISG), who have openly questioned the consistency of the judges.

Federation officials claim that coaches from other competing nations share their concerns regarding how rules are being applied on the ice.

“We have witnessed inconsistent and contradictory decisions by the same judge in the treatment of Pietro Sighel during these Olympics,” said the federation president.

“Our opinion has been confirmed and is shared by coaches and officials from other nations present at the Games, who have expressed similar concerns about what was seen on the ice.”

The president described the situation as “serious and worrying”, stating it was their duty to intervene to ensure sporting fairness.

Federation criticises ISU response

In a strongly worded statement, the FISG also directed criticism at the International Skating Union (ISU) for failing to address the issue during the event.

The Italian body labelled the lack of intervention as “problematic” given the “obvious inconsistencies” in decision-making.

They have vowed to “vigorously protect” their athletes in every appropriate forum throughout the remainder of the Games.

Sighel, considered a major medal prospect for the hosts, has received full backing from his national team to recover his form.

Italian Sports Federation statement

“Pietro has proven his worth on the ice, and we are proud of him. We hope and believe that Pietro, along with his teammates, will respond with determination and bring home a medal he fully deserves.”

Anthony Joshua is targeting a return to the ring in July following his car crash, with promoter Eddie Hearn eyeing a potential clash with Tyson Fury later this year.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion has been out of action since surviving a fatal accident in Nigeria last December.

While the crash tragically claimed the lives of two close friends, Hearn has confirmed the Watford-born fighter is nearing a return to training.

Original plans for a March bout were scrapped due to the incident, but a summer comeback could still pave the way for a long-awaited showdown with domestic rival Fury.

Hearn outlines recovery timeline

“Originally the plan with AJ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August,” Hearn told BoxingScene.

The Matchroom Boxing chairman admitted that Joshua is not yet physically ready to compete but expects him back in late summer.

“I’m looking at options to get him back in the ring in July but we will only know if that’s a real possibility when he returns to camp which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks,” Hearn added.

Hearn emphasised that any return bout carries risk given the trauma Joshua has recently experienced.

Fury inspired by rival’s survival

While Joshua recovers, the Gypsy King is preparing to end his own year-long retirement against Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.

The WBC champion revealed that hearing news of his British rival’s brush with death actually motivated his decision to fight again.

“Tomorrow might not ever come and I suppose the biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua,” Fury said.

The Manchester-born fighter emphasized that life’s fragility prompted him to seize the moment rather than waiting.

Future of the domestic super-fight

A bout between Britain’s two premier heavyweights had been pencilled in as a £200m showdown before the accident cast doubt on the schedule.

Hearn acknowledged that while they remain open to the fight, it would likely take place at the end of the year or early in 2027.

“We are open to the Tyson Fury fight but more likely at the end of the year or early in 2027,” Hearn confirmed.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has condemned “disgusting” racist abuse directed at lock Edwin Edogbo following his international debut against Italy.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is investigating online comments targeted at the 23-year-old after the 20-13 Six Nations victory in Dublin.

Edogbo, who was born and raised in Cork to Nigerian parents, featured as a replacement in the win over the Azzurri.

Farrell has offered his full support to the Munster second row, urging him to “crack on” and ignore the abuse.

Farrell backs player’s strength

“First and foremost, it’s all about the player, nothing but about how he is and how it’s affecting him or not,” said Farrell.

“We’ve had the conversation and he’s fine, thankfully. But it’s obviously disgusting. There’s no need for it in society.”

The Ireland boss insisted he would not validate the perpetrators by reading the specific comments.

“I don’t want to give people anything to even think that I’m even commenting on some of the stuff that has been said really because they certainly don’t deserve that,” he added.

“But as far as I’m concerned, Edwin’s fine, he’s strong, he’s been brought up in the right way.”

Family values praised

Farrell highlighted the strong upbringing of the young forward, noting his father works “all hours” as an A&E nurse in Cork.

“He’s made of the right stuff, and that’s why he’s able to just crack on and ignore all the BS,” Farrell explained.

Despite a promising cameo against Italy, Edogbo has been left out of the matchday squad for the upcoming trip to Twickenham.

Selection decisions for England

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan will continue their partnership in the engine room for the crucial Six Nations clash.

Tadhg Beirne, starting at blindside flanker, provides cover for the second row in the absence of a specialist lock on the bench.

Farrell suggested the intensity of a game against England factored into the decision regarding the rookie.

“The occasion, when you’re coming on as a new-ish player in a big game like that at Twickenham, are you going to have it in your legs in the last 10 minutes or not?” he asked.

“There’s a difference there in that regard, but I suppose Joe McCarthy’s big enough and strong enough.”

Head coach Andrew McDonald has dismissed suggestions that Australia’s shock T20 World Cup exit was caused by the team prioritising the Ashes.

The reigning champions were eliminated from the tournament this week after suffering unexpected defeats against Zimbabwe and co-hosts Sri Lanka.

Those results ensure the side will finish outside the top two in Group B, making Friday’s final fixture against Oman in Pallekele a dead rubber.

Rejection of ‘distraction’ narrative

The team’s poor showing has drawn sharp criticism from former players, with ex-captain Ricky Ponting lamenting a lack of “aura” within the squad.

Matthew Hayden went further, criticising preparation levels and drawing parallels to England’s disrupted build-up to the recent Ashes series.

However, McDonald insists the 4-1 Test series victory over England to retain the urn did not compromise planning for the white-ball tournament.

“We’ve been fully locked into this for a period of time,” McDonald said.

“I have heard that sort of narrative that T20 World Cups don’t matter to us. But to sit back and say that we’re prioritising other formats is entirely false.”

“We’ve got a pretty devastated group, it’s fair to say.”

Injury woes hamper campaign

The tourists arrived in Sri Lanka facing significant personnel issues following the gruelling Test summer against England.

Test captain Pat Cummins and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood failed to recover in time to participate in the competition.

T20 skipper Mitch Marsh also missed the opening two matches after sustaining an injury during a net session.

Selectors faced further scrutiny for delaying the naming of Steve Smith as an official replacement for Hazlewood until midway through the group stage.

‘Critique is fair and reasonable’

While acknowledging the difficult preparation, the Australian coach refused to use absent personnel as an excuse for the early departure.

“Have we had some challenges on the back of injuries? That’s always something we deal with and every nation has to deal with it,” McDonald added.

“Unfortunately they weren’t able to make this tournament. Does that make a difference to your performance? In some ways yes, but I truly believe that the players that were here are good enough.”

“It shouldn’t be about the players that we’re missing. It should be looking at the performances and we’re disappointed in those. We need to own those and the critique is fair and reasonable.”