“IT’s Your Vibe” is the motto of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. And Google wants to be your vibe too.
As anticipation builds for the event in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (Feb. 6-22), Google is positioning its products as a central hub for how fans follow, understand, and experience the Games.
From enhanced Search features and AI-powered explanations to navigation support in Italy and expanded creator-driven coverage on YouTube, the company says in a blog post it is rolling out a broad suite of tools aimed at both remote viewers and attendees on the ground.
The effort reflects a larger trend in how major sporting events are consumed, blending real-time data, short-form video, creator perspectives, and AI into a single, interconnected experience.
Search becomes a dashboard
Google Search is playing a central role in how fans track the Winter Olympics, acting as a live information dashboard rather than just a starting point for links. According to Google, people around the world are already turning to Search to answer practical questions about the Games, with “Olympic hockey schedule” and “Olympic figure skating schedule” emerging as the top-trending event-related queries globally.
In the U.S., interest has shifted notably toward ice hockey. Search interest in “hockey players” has reached a 10-year high, overtaking figure skating as the most-searched Olympic sport. This data signals how audience preferences can vary by region and how real-time search behavior offers insight into changing fan priorities.
When users search for a country, sport, athlete, or the Games overall, Google surfaces live schedules, results, medal counts, and where-to-watch information specific to the user’s location. Search results also integrate video highlights and recaps from official broadcasters, trending events, recent news coverage, and social media posts, creating a more immersive and continuously updated view of the Olympics.
Google has also added interactive elements, including Easter eggs and visual surprises tied to the Games, encouraging users to engage beyond passive information consumption.
AI Mode adds depth
Beyond scores and schedules, Google is leaning into education and curiosity through AI Mode in Search. This feature allows users to ask more complex or open-ended questions while watching events, such as what curling brooms actually do or how judges evaluate artistry in figure skating.
By providing conversational, explanatory responses, AI Mode aims to lower the barrier to entry for casual viewers who may not be familiar with the rules or scoring systems of winter sports. The implication is that AI can help broaden the Olympics’ appeal by making traditionally complex sports more accessible and understandable in real time.
This approach reflects Google’s broader strategy of positioning AI as a companion to live experiences, rather than a separate destination.
Maps and Waze
For fans attending the Games in Italy, Google Maps and Waze are being updated with information from local authorities to help manage the logistical challenges of a large international event.
Google Maps will show road closures, adjusted transit schedules, and other disruptions tied to Olympic activity. A notable addition is the use of Gemini in navigation, which allows users to ask hands-free questions while traveling. Attendees can ask for nearby restaurant recommendations, add Olympic venues to their routes, or even check on game scores without stopping navigation.
Waze, which relies heavily on community reporting, will provide localized driving guidance for visitors unfamiliar with Italian road rules. Users opening the app in Italy will see overviews of local driving laws, explanations of common road signs, and parking guidance, helping reduce confusion and improve safety during a high-traffic period.
Together, these tools highlight how navigation apps are evolving from simple directions into contextual travel assistants, especially during large-scale events.
YouTube expands coverage
YouTube is also scaling up its Olympic coverage through partnerships with broadcasters, creators, and the International Olympic Committee. In collaboration with NBCUniversal, YouTube is launching the Milan Cortina Creator Collective, which brings a lineup of creators and sports personalities to the Games.
Creators including Alexa Riviera, Ashley Alexander, Jordan Howlett, MMG, Cleo Abram, and Tom Daley will offer behind-the-scenes access and personal perspectives designed to resonate with digital-native audiences. NBCUniversal’s official YouTube channels will host viral moments, clips, and highlights from the Games, extending traditional broadcast coverage into social and on-demand formats.
Beyond creator-driven content, official broadcasters from around the world, including Eurosport and the Japan Consortium, will post daily highlights and clips, ensuring broad international representation.
Experience points
Taken together, Google’s Winter Olympics initiatives illustrate how major sporting events are increasingly experienced across platforms rather than through a single broadcast. Search functions as a live information layer, AI adds explanatory depth, Maps and Waze address real-world logistics, and YouTube blends official coverage with creator storytelling.
As the Games begin, Google’s ecosystem reflects a broader shift in sports media toward personalization, accessibility, and continuous engagement, signaling how future global events may be followed both on screens and on the ground.
Use this Google Gemini cheat sheet to learn about key features, how the models work, and more.
