VETERANS CAN WATCH THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS FOR FREE: HERE’S HOW
COMMENT
SHARE
Veterans and service members can watch the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina at no cost thanks to a long-standing partnership between The Exchange and NBCUniversal.
The benefit unlocks full Olympic streaming coverage of live events, select practice and warm-up sessions, and highlights without requiring a paid cable or streaming subscription. All that’s needed is a verified ShopMyExchange.com account.
What This Olympic Streaming Benefit Includes
Eligible Veterans, service members, retirees, and military families can stream:
- Live Olympic competitions
- Full event replays
- Highlights and on-demand Olympic coverage
- Access across their TV, computer, smartphone, and tablet
The 2026 Winter Olympics take place from February 6 through 22, 2026, and are hosted across Northern Italy.
Why the Olympics Are Free to Watch for Veterans
When asked about this offering, Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull said the following:
"Few events unify the world like the Olympic Games. It is a privilege for the Exchange to offer this Quality-of-Life multiplier so the Games can be viewed wherever service members and their families are called to serve.”
By removing cable and subscription requirements, the program ensures veterans can participate in a shared national experience rooted in values familiar to military life: discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, and pride in representing something larger than oneself.
Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics, also shared his enthusiasm,
“We believe moments like the Olympic Games have a unique power to connect people across the world.
We’re proud to work with the Exchange to help ensure service members and military families can experience the Winter Games—wherever they are serving our country.”
Service members and Veterans everywhere will be cheering extra hard, with eyes on the active-duty military athletes representing our country on Team USA this Winter Games.
What You Need Before You Watch
To use the free Olympic streaming benefit, you must have:
- An active ShopMyExchange.com account
- Verified eligibility as a veteran, service member, retiree, or eligible dependent
- Internet access via Wi-Fi or cellular data
How Veterans Can Watch the Olympics for Free
Step 1: Log In to Your Exchange Account
Sign in to your ShopMyExchange.com account using your existing credentials.
If you don’t have one, you can create a free account and complete eligibility verification online.
Step 2: Open an NBC Olympic Streaming Platform
Olympic coverage is available through:
- NBCOlympics.com using a web browser
- The NBC Sports app on mobile devices and smart TVs
Step 3: Select the Exchange as Your Provider
When prompted to choose the Exchange as your service provider.
Step 4: Authenticate with Your Exchange Login
Enter your ShopMyExchange.com credentials.
Once verified, Olympic content unlocks automatically.
How to Watch on Every Device
Watching on Your TV
Veterans can stream on most smart TVs and streaming devices by:
- Downloading the NBC Sports app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or similar platforms
- Selecting The Exchange / AAFES as the provider
- Logging in with ShopMyExchange credentials
Some Olympic events will also air on standard NBC broadcast channels without requiring any login.
Watching on a Computer
- Open a web browser and go to NBCOlympics.com
- Select a live event or replay
- Choose The Exchange as your provider
- Authenticate when prompted
This works on both Windows and Mac computers.
Watching on a Smartphone or Tablet
- Download the NBC Sports app from the App Store or Google Play
- Open the Olympics section
- Select an event
- Choose AAFES / The Exchange as your provider
- Log in using your Exchange credentials
Why This Matters for Veterans
For many Veterans, especially those who’ve eliminated cable, this benefit restores access to a shared national moment.
The Olympics reflect service, resilience, and collective effort values that are deeply familiar to the military community. Making the Olympic Games free ensures Veterans remain part of that story, long after active service ends.
Suggested reads:
Join the Conversation
BY NATALIE OLIVERIO
Veteran & Senior Contributor, Military News at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
Credentials
Expertise
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
