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What Gen Z Wants to See at the Winter Olympics, In 3 Stats

**The Winter Olympics are almost here, but for young people, following the competition doesn’t necessarily mean just tuning into the Games…**

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jan 21 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Many young people think the best part of watching the Games are the memes and viral moments
They’re excited to see the real, unfiltered moments from Olympic athletes
For some, they’ll be following only athletes’ social content, and not the Games at all

In two short weeks, the Winter Olympics will officially begin—and just as YPulse said, this will be one of the cultural moments of the year to watch. YPulse data shows that nearly half (46%) of 13-39-year-olds plan to tune into the Winter Olympics this year. And yes, some will even be watching on cable! But this year, the Games are set to be much bigger than what’s on TV—which is good news to Gen Z viewers especially. On-screen, the broadcasts are leaning all the way into pop culture. Snoop Dogg is back with his signature commentary, Sesame Street characters including Elmo and Cookie Monster will offer playful takes, and ice hockey tournaments are primed to dominate group chats. (Thank the Heated Rivalry fans and “boy aquarium” enthusiasts!) Off-screen, the Olympics are once again becoming a lifestyle and fashion moment. From highly-anticipated athlete-led clothing drops to designer collabs inspired by the Olympic aesthetics, the Games are extending into merch fans can wear while watching at home. Plus, Olympic...