Winter Olympics 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Milan-Cortina Games

Italy Prepares for Historic Winter Olympics

The countdown has officially begun for the 2026 Winter Olympics, set to take place in Italy from 6 to 22 February 2026. Officially known as the XXV Winter Olympic Games and commonly known as Milano Cortina 2026, this international multi-sport event promises to be one of the most unique Winter Olympics in history.

This will be the most spread-out Winter Games in history, with events in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, over 400 kilometers apart. The unprecedented geographic spread will see Milan primarily hosting ice events, and the remaining events being hosted in clusters around Cortina, and the Valtellina and Fiemme valleys.

What’s New at Milan-Cortina 2026

More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals in 16 Olympic disciplines. The Games will feature several exciting additions, with the debut of ski mountaineering as a Winter Olympic event. Skeleton has added a mixed team event, luge has added women’s doubles and large hill ski jumping added women’s and men’s super team events.

The Olympic torch relay started on 26 November 2025 with the flame lighting in Olympia, Greece, and concludes on 6 February 2026 in Milan, Italy, coinciding with the opening ceremony. Athletes have already begun qualifying for their spots on national teams, with competitions heating up across various winter sports disciplines.

Athletes to Watch and Global Significance

The Games will showcase some of the world’s most accomplished winter sports athletes. Two of the most decorated Alpine skiers in history, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, opened the World Cup season in dominant form, whilst Eileen Gu is back in freestyle skiing, as is Chloe Kim in snowboarding. Ice hockey fans will be particularly excited as NHL players are back on Olympic ice for the first time since 2014.

They will mark the third Winter Olympics, and fourth overall, to be hosted by Italy, highlighting the country’s rich Olympic heritage. For spectators worldwide, this celebration of winter sport excellence represents not only athletic achievement but also international unity and the enduring spirit of Olympic competition. The Games will set the stage for future winter sports development and inspire the next generation of athletes globally.