Milano Cortina 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Winter Olympics
MILAN, 26 January 2026 – In just 11 days, the Olympic flame will be lit at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, marking the start of the XXV Olympic Winter Games. For 17 days, from 6 to 22 February, northern Italy will transform into a global stage for winter sports, hosting nearly 2,900 athletes from over 90 nations. This edition, known as Milano Cortina 2026, promises a unique blend of metropolitan energy and alpine tradition, spread across a vast area of more than 22,000 square kilometres.
A Games of Firsts and Heritage
Milano Cortina 2026 will be Italy’s fourth time hosting the Olympic Games, following Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956, Rome in 1960, and Turin in 2006. It is the first Winter Olympics to be officially hosted across two cities and will feature the debut of ski mountaineering as an Olympic sport. Furthermore, it will be the first Games under the presidency of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) new president. The organisers have embraced the IOC’s cost-cutting reforms, with over 90% of competition venues being existing or temporary facilities.
The Venues: From San Siro to the Dolomites
The Games are organised across four main clusters in Lombardy and Northeast Italy. The opening ceremony will be held at Milan’s legendary San Siro football stadium, while the closing ceremony will take place in the ancient Roman Verona Arena, a first for the Olympics.
Ice sports are concentrated in the Milan cluster, featuring a new arena in Santa Giulia for ice hockey—marking the return of NHL players to the Olympics—and renovated facilities for figure skating and speed skating. The mountain clusters host the snow and sliding events. Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Pearl of the Dolomites,” will stage women’s alpine skiing, curling, and sliding sports on a rebuilt track. Other key locations include Bormio for men’s alpine skiing, Livigno for freestyle and snowboard, and the Val di Fiemme for Nordic events like ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
Key Facts & Figures
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | 6 – 22 February 2026 |
| Host Cities | Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo |
| Number of Sports | 16 |
| Number of Events | 116 |
| Expected Athletes | ~2,900 |
| New Sport | Ski Mountaineering (Men’s/Women’s Sprint, Mixed Relay) |
| Mascots | Tina & Milo (stoat siblings) |
| Slogan | “IT’s Your Vibe” |
| Paralympic Games | 6 – 15 March 2026 |
Athletes in the Spotlight
All eyes will be on a mix of returning legends and rising stars. Swiss skier Marco Odermatt aims to cement his dominance, while American alpine great Mikaela Shiffrin targets further Olympic glory. In snowboarding, American Chloe Kim seeks an unprecedented third consecutive halfpipe gold. The ice hockey tournament is highly anticipated with the return of NHL stars like Canada’s Sidney Crosby, chasing a third gold medal. Figure skating will feature Japan’s reigning world champion Kaori Sakamoto and American prodigy Ilia Malinin, known for the quad Axel.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will participate under the designation “Individual Neutral Athletes” (AIN), following the IOC’s policy established after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They will not march in the opening ceremony or be included in the official medal table.
Logistical Challenges and Sustainability
Preparations have not been without hurdles. Construction on the main ice hockey arena, the Santa Giulia Arena, and the rebuilt sliding centre in Cortina have faced delays, with organisers working around the clock to ensure readiness. Despite this, the Games have a strong focus on sustainability, utilising existing infrastructure, promoting public transport, and designing athlete villages—like the one in Milan’s Porta Romana district by SOM—for long-term community use after the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics?
The Olympic Winter Games will be held from 6 to 22 February 2026. The Winter Paralympics follow from 6 to 15 March 2026.
What is the new sport at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Ski mountaineering (or “skimo”) will make its Olympic debut. Athletes race up a mountain using climbing skins on their skis and then descend. There will be three events: men’s sprint, women’s sprint, and a mixed relay.
Where will the events take place?
Events are spread across northern Italy. Ceremonies and ice sports are in Milan. Alpine, sliding, and curling events are in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Other mountain venues include Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, Tesero, and Anterselva for biathlon. The closing ceremony is in Verona.
How can I watch the Games?
In Italy, pay-TV rights are held by Warner Bros. Discovery, with free-to-air coverage on RAI. The IOC has a European broadcast agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports through 2032. Viewers should check local listings for broadcasters in their country.