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10 Feb 2026 | Sportsbetting

Olympic Betting 2026 – Favourites, Odds, Golden Moments

We give you an overview of the 2026 Winter Games: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling & more – plus a medal check and a quick guide to the odds for your Olympic bets.

Olympic Betting 2026 – Favourites, Odds, Golden Moments
Malik Malik

The 2026 Winter Games are a real daily highlight. And not just for watching, but also for the thrill of betting around the Olympics: every day brings new decisions, new storylines and often exactly those moments when favourites falter and underdogs suddenly rise to the occasion. From 6 to 22 February 2026, the winter spectacle takes place in Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as host cities, joined by venues such as Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, Tesero and Antholz. And once everything is over, the Arena di Verona will provide the grand finale with the closing ceremony.

So that you don’t lose track during the Olympic Winter Games and your bets, you’ll find compact insights into the sports here, plus a brief Olympic odds check.

Olympic Games: Odds explained briefly

At the Olympic Winter Games, odds are your quickest reality check: they show how strongly a favourite is rated and where an outsider suddenly becomes interesting. And because even small news about form, start lists or equipment can have a big impact at the Winter Games, they often change faster than you can say “starting gun”. That also applies to your Olympic tips: bets are snapshots in time, and short-term factors can overturn forecasts within hours.

At MERKUR BETS, you’ll find the current odds directly within each competition – and can see at a glance which betting options are available for your Olympic bets . For anyone looking to get a little more value: in the odds boost section at MERKUR BETS and via the MERKUR BETS app , you’ll regularly find promotions with enhanced odds. And now let’s dive straight into the disciplines setting the pace in 2026.

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Biathlon: When one shot changes everything

Biathlon is the Olympics in its purest form: full throttle on the track, then silence at the shooting range – and suddenly a race turns in seconds. In Antholz, the setting fits perfectly: tight, loud and electrifying. Among the men, things will get exciting around Éric Perrot, Sebastian Samuelsson and Tommaso Giacomel. In the women’s field, Lou Jeanmonnot leads the form rankings, with Hanna Öberg within striking distance. Germany is hoping for Franziska Preuß – and if the relay shoots cleanly, that can quickly turn into a medal.

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Bobsleigh: Nations fighting for hundredths

In bobsleigh, it’s not just about speed, but about entire programmes. Anyone who wants medals needs explosive starts, perfect execution and pilots who hold the line through the curves. That’s why Germany, with its squad depth and superstar Francesco Friedrich, is considered the benchmark. But bobsleigh is no single-nation event: Canada and Switzerland also field strong teams, while the USA, led by Kaillie Humphries, are dangerous in the women’s competition. And the new sliding track in Cortina, with its own unique character, can quickly turn “clear” into “wide open”. The same applies to your Olympic bets.

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Curling: Quiet sport, loud twists

Curling is chess on ice: a perfect draw, a take-out hit too hard, one “wrong weight” – and suddenly the house is cleared and the storyline completely rewritten. Looking at the rankings, Bruce Mouat (Scotland/Team GB) and Yannick Schwaller for Switzerland repeatedly stand out. Canada remains a historic powerhouse and is almost always in medal contention, while host nation Italy adds extra spice. If you bet on curling at the Olympics, you’ll quickly notice how much comes down to patience and precision.

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Ice hockey: Star power & knockout drama

Ice hockey at the Olympics is its own movie: a red-hot goalie, one power-play moment – and suddenly an entire tournament turns. The big boost in 2026: NHL players are back, meaning true “best on best” competition. In terms of depth, the USA, Canada, Sweden, Czechia and Finland remain the usual heavyweights, while Germany is no longer just an “outsider”. With Leon Draisaitl, Moritz Seider and JJ Peterka, Team Germany has names that could really bring momentum. Exciting factors: goaltending form, special teams and squad depth. And a single moment can decide both medals and your Olympic bets.

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Infobox: Which bets are popular at the Olympics?

Alongside the classic single bet, there are several markets that many people find particularly exciting during the Olympics. The over/under bet is a classic – depending on the sport, for example on goals (ice hockey) or other clearly measurable values. Also popular: head-to-head bets, meaning the direct duel between two athletes or teams. And because everything can turn in seconds at the Olympics, many also look at live betting when momentum, pressure or a short run suddenly shifts direction.

Then there are the “storyline” bets: accumulators if you want to bundle several picks into one idea – and system bets if you prefer a broader approach and not every tip needs to land for you to still come out on top.

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Figure skating: Millimetres, rhythm, nerves

Either the rhythm clicks – or one small wobble runs through the entire programme: figure skating thrives on technique, courage and form on the day. In Milan, figure skating will take place at the Unipol Forum (Assago) – big stage, big pressure. This season, Ilia Malinin (USA) stands out with two world titles and the ability to deliver virtually every technical element. He is considered the top favourite in the men’s singles. Hase/Volodin arrive as reigning German European champions in the pairs competition, carrying real momentum and medal hopes. And in speed skating, it once again looks like the usual pattern: the Netherlands set the benchmark.

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Luge: Start phase, line choice, speed over four runs

Much suggests that the usual “big players” will once again set the tone on the ice track: Germany and Austria are traditionally strong contenders in the medal race. In the men’s field, Felix Loch is particularly in focus, while Jonas Müller as the Austrian counterpart is exactly the type of athlete who can become dangerous in an Olympic race. In the women’s competition, Julia Taubitz is frequently mentioned among the frontrunners, and in the doubles, Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt are teams to keep on your radar for Olympic betting. But: one poor start or a suboptimal line is enough to knock favourites off the podium and overturn predictions.

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Alpine skiing on two stages: Stelvio slope & Tofane backdrop

On the Stelvio in Bormio, the men’s races are traditionally brutally fast – and that’s exactly where the Olympic set-up fits perfectly: aggressive, direct, with little room for error. For the women, Cortina with the Tofane slope provides the grand stage in the alpine programme. In 2026, the team combined format will be added, adding extra excitement by linking speed and technical disciplines. Favourites come from Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Marco Odermatt is considered the dominant alpine skier and a favourite for gold. Shortly before the Olympic races and your bets, it’s worth checking start lists and training reports. Weather and ice conditions can influence the outcome at any time.

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Medals & Gold at the Olympics – Betting with the bigger picture in mind

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At the end of the Winter Games, one number sums it all up: the medal table. That’s why Olympic bets on it are so popular: you’re backing the breadth of a team, not a single moment. Traditionally, nations with wide discipline coverage lead the way: Norway often sets the standard, Germany is strong in biathlon, bobsleigh and luge, while the USA and Canada score in ice hockey and speed disciplines. Austria and Switzerland regularly deliver alpine gold contenders.

Alongside the established favourites, there are almost always so-called dark horse candidates at the Olympics – those not at the very top of everyone’s list: young rising stars, teams with suddenly perfect timing, nations with underestimated depth. Slovenia, with its long skiing tradition, could surprise in alpine disciplines; South Korea with several podium contenders in short track. And the Netherlands should never be underestimated on ice – with only a few but decisive gold medals, they could put major nations under pressure.

An early gold medal can sometimes be enough to immediately change the dynamics of the medal table. That’s exactly why it pays to keep an eye on odds and form curves – and this mix of predictability and plot twist is what makes the Olympics and betting on them so appealing. And now: let the Winter Games begin – you’ve got the overview, the rest is Olympic drama.

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FAQ about the Olympics and betting

Where can I watch the 2026 Olympic Winter Games live for my betting?

ARD and ZDF will broadcast the Winter Games live on alternating days, including via their media libraries. The Olympics will also run on Eurosport. Depending on the day and event scope, the distribution may vary. And if you want to keep track: in the Olympic section at MERKUR BETS, you’ll find upcoming events along with the odds – practical for quickly checking schedules and competitions.

What’s more popular at the Olympics – betting on individual competitions or on medals?

Both have their appeal: single bets are “moment sports” (one race, one decision), while medal bets feel more like the bigger picture – you’re backing a nation’s depth over many days. That’s why many people pay particularly close attention to the medal table.

Why do odds change so quickly during the Olympics?

Because the Olympics are extremely news-driven: start lists, short-term form signals, equipment issues or tournament developments (especially in team sports) can quickly shift expectations. Odds often react first – which is exactly why it’s worth a quick check before placing your bet.

How do favourites and outsiders differ in Olympic betting and how does this influence the odds?

Favourites in Olympic betting are the athletes or teams considered most likely to win due to their seasonal form, strong results and squad depth. This is usually reflected in lower odds.

Outsiders, on the other hand, have higher odds because their victory is considered less likely. But they are particularly exciting at the Olympics, because one perfect day is enough: pressure, weather, equipment, start lists or a knockout format could unsettle favourites and suddenly open up a realistic opportunity for outsiders.

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