Drones Soar at 2026 Winter Olympics, Offering Fans Unprecedented Views

The use of high-speed FPV drones has transformed broadcast coverage, giving viewers an immersive look at the competition.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy have seen a fleet of over 25 specialized drones, capable of reaching speeds up to 140 kph, providing viewers with an unprecedented look at the elite competition. These First-Person View (FPV) drones, which allow pilots to see exactly what the drone sees in real-time, have fundamentally changed how audiences experience the speed of winter sports, offering a parallel perspective rather than the traditional perpendicular view of fixed cameras.

Why it matters

The use of drones in Olympic broadcasts has sparked a debate among purists over the intrusive buzz now echoing through the mountain valleys, but the majority of fans have given rave reviews, praising the drones for bringing them closer to the action and helping them truly appreciate the velocity of the events.

The details

The Olympic Broadcasting Service has deployed this fleet of 25 FPV drones across almost every outdoor high-speed event, with a focus on "chase-cam" footage where the drone follows inches or feet behind the athletes. These drones, weighing just 250 grams and capable of traveling up to 75 mph, have been a great addition to the broadcast, providing a new immersive experience for viewers.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are currently taking place in Italy.

The players

Olympic Broadcasting Service

The host broadcaster of the Olympic Games, responsible for deploying the fleet of FPV drones for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Linus Ekenstam

A Twitter user who praised the use of drones at the 2026 Winter Olympics, calling them the "best upgrade in years" and saying the coverage is "on another level".

Joe Pompliano

A Twitter user who commented on the drones used in the NBC coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, noting that they help viewers appreciate the speed of the events.

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What they’re saying

“The Olympic drone pilots are the best thing that happened the games, unsung heroes, period.”

— Linus Ekenstam (Twitter)

“The coverage this year is officially on another level. We can finally feel so much closer to the action, it's pure magic, unreal.”

— Linus Ekenstam (Twitter)

“The drones that NBC is using for its Olympic coverage weigh just 250 grams and can travel at speeds up to 75 miles per hour. These drones have been a great addition to the broadcast — it really helps you appreciate the speed of some of these events.”

— Joe Pompliano (Twitter)

The takeaway

The use of high-speed FPV drones at the 2026 Winter Olympics has transformed the broadcast coverage, giving viewers an unprecedented and immersive look at the speed and intensity of the competition. While the buzzing drones have sparked some debate, the majority of fans have praised the new technology for bringing them closer to the action and helping them truly appreciate the velocity of the events.