Betfair tells SBC that it anticipates the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will carry a special interest for British audiences, who are likely to engage with this year’s most unpredictable markets.
The showcase sporting event of Winter 2026 (forget Super Bowl LX) begins on Friday 6 February as early markets point to Brits backing Team GB to bring back a record haul of six medals.
According to the Betfair Exchange, Norway is once again the nation to beat, priced at 4/7 to finish top of the gold medal table. Its dominance has achieved more than any other country in Winter Olympic history.
The US sits second at 7/2, followed by Germany at 13/2, while Canada and Switzerland are further back in the chasing pack.
Team GB eyes record haul
For Britain, the focus is less about topping the standings and more about progress. Team GB is currently priced at 2/1 to break its Winter Olympics medal record, which would require six podium finishes across the Games, an ambitious target, but one Betfair views as achievable.
At the forefront of Britain’s medal market is Matt Weston, who is odds-on at 4/9 to claim gold in the men’s skeleton. Sliding sports have quietly become one of Team GB’s strongest disciplines, and Weston’s recent form has made him Britain’s standout medal prospect.
On the ice, Bruce Mouat leads the men’s curling team and is priced at evens to take gold. Curling remains one of Britain’s most reliable paths to a podium with Mouat’s squad viewed with gold ambitions.
Betfair spokesperson James Mackie tells SBC the early markets point to growing optimism around Britain’s prospects: “There will be plenty of eyes on how Team GB get on and they’re priced at 2/1 to break their medal record, which would mean six medals across the Games.
“Matt Weston in the men’s skeleton is odds-on at 4/9 to take gold and is the most likely Brit to win a medal this year, while Bruce Mouat in men’s curling is even money to top the podium.”
Tightening Winter battlegrounds
Bookmakers are flagging several sports as particularly unpredictable this time around. Men’s biathlon races show no clear favourite, pointing to wide-open podium contests, while figure skating, ski jumping and ice hockey are drawing strong early interest. Women’s singles figure skating, in particular, is shaping up as one of the most finely balanced events of the Games.
Further tightening markets see the women’s alpine events expected to dominate global headlines. US superstar Lindsey Vonn is among the favourites in the downhill at 6/4, while Mikaela Shiffrin is heavily backed at 1/4 to control the slalom reflecting her status as one of the most dominant winter athletes of the modern era.
History in the making is noted by Betfair’s James Mackie: “As the 2026 Winter Olympics loom closer, Norway are the 4/7 odds-on favourites to win the most gold medals during the Games and lead the standings for the 11th time in the competition’s history.”