There are three Nordic combined events on the 2026 Olympic program, all of which are men's competitions:

• Individual normal hill/10km race
• Individual large hill/10km
• Team large hill/2x7.5km race

All three events consist of a ski jumping competition and a cross-country skiing competition. Each of the three events is contested on a single day, with ski jumping always preceding cross-country skiing.

Most of the rules which exist on the World Cup level, such as specific equipment regulations, race format and scoring method, also apply to Olympic Nordic combined competitions. The main difference is the number of events the World Cup includes.

While there are only three Nordic combined events on the Olympic program — the individual normal hill/10km race, the individual large hill/10km and the team sprint large hill/2x7.5km race — athletes competing on the World Cup circuit also can jump on a small hill, and there are mass start and team events for all three hill sizes. Additionally, unlike at the Olympics, women can compete on the World Cup circuit. Nordic combined is the only Olympic sport, winter or summer, which does not include a women’s competition.

A total of 36 athletes can compete in the Olympic Nordic combined competition — a large decrease from the 55 allowed to compete in Beijing.

Typically, each National Olympic Committee, or NOC, is awarded a maximum of two quota spots depending on the rankings for the World Cup and Continental Cup. However, there is an exception. If there are not enough qualified athletes to fill all 36 quota spots, an additional quota spot is awarded to each NOC in order according to the rankings until all 36 spots are filled. As the host nation, Italy automatically receives one quota spot.

Each NOC only may enter one team for the team event.

Athletes may be disqualified or penalized at several points throughout the Nordic combined competition.

In the ski jumping portion, athletes most often are disqualified for equipment violations. In order to prevent athletes from modifying their equipment in any way which unfairly may boost their aerodynamics, the regulations in place for ski jumping suits are very strict — so much so that even inadvertent mistakes due to normal body weight fluctuations can result in immediate disqualification. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, five ski jumpers were disqualified from the mixed team event because their suits were ruled too big.

In cross-country races, athletes only must race along the marked course and refrain from obstructing their opponents in order to avoid disqualification.

False starts, the use of prohibited equipment (such as fluoridated wax in the cross-country race or poles in the ski jumping portion) and failure to wear the correct bib are grounds for disqualification in both disciplines.

The overall ski jumping result is derived from distance jumped and style points achieved. 

Distance points are related to the event’s respective K-point. A jump to the K-point is worth 60 points, and each meter over or under that distance is reflected by an increase or decrease of a set number of points – 2.0 for the normal hill and 1.8 for the large hill. 

Five judges evaluate style on a scale of 0 to 20. The highest and lowest scores are eliminated; thus, a competitor only can earn up to 60 style points per jump. Judges evaluate style from the end of the take off to the passing of the "fall line" in the outrun. Here is what judges are looking for during each segment of the jump. 

During the flight, the jumper must: 

• Make a bold and aggressive move at takeoff
• Actively utilize air pressure
• Combine the body and skis to build an entire flying system
• Achieve a stable body position
• Have symmetrically positioned left and right sides
• Stretch legs fully 

During the landing, the jumper must: 

• Come from a stable flight position
• Raise head and upper body
• Moves arms forward/upward
• Turn skis into a parallel position- just before touching the ground
• Obtain a smooth landing by using muscle power to reduce the impact
• Increase the distance between the legs by using the telemark position
• Apply pressure equally to both legs

During the outrun, the jumper must: 

• Remain in this telemark position for approximately 10 to 15 meters
• Raise the upper body
• Achieve a stable and relaxed body position
• Turn the skis parallel or move them into a snowplow position to slow down 

Flight, landing and outrun should convey an aesthetic overall impression. Judges submit point deductions for each of the three segments of the jump (so deductions for the flight are separate from those made to the outrun score). 

Although both the distance and style portions of jumping are scored on a 60-point scale, the distance component slightly is more important because it is possible to score more than 60 points for jumping past the K-point, something most of the top jumpers will achieve.

Additionally, points may be added or subtracted to account for changes in gate elevation or wind, both favorable and unfavorable. 

During the cross-country race, athletes must refrain from deliberately impeding, blocking, charging or pushing their competitors with any part of their bodies or equipment. Generally, as long as the skier obeys that rule, they are free to pass their opponents or change lanes as needed.

Poles may be changed during any competition. One or both skis may be changed if the ski(s) or the binding(s) is/are broken or damaged. Equipment failure must be proven to the race jury after the competition. Waxing, scraping or cleaning of the skis during competition is forbidden. 

When two or more jumpers have identical scores, they begin the cross-country race at the same time. Photo finishes are used for the cross-country races as needed to break ties.

Athletes may submit appeals against any decisions made by the tactical jury in ski jumping competitions and any official results as long as there is an obvious and proven calculation mistake. Appeals against the jury are to be submitted within 48 hours of the publication of the results. Appeals against the final results are to be submitted within 30 days of their publication, including the day of the competition. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation Appeals Commission or Court then reviews the appeal.