Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics being held? Italy to host in Milan and Cortina

Introduction

The question “2026 winter olympics held in which country” matters to sports fans, travellers and local communities. Hosting the Winter Olympic Games brings international attention, investment and logistical challenges for the host nation. With the Games set for early 2026, clarity on the location helps readers plan travel, follow qualification and understand the likely economic and environmental impacts.

Main details

Host country and dates

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Italy, with events staged primarily in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Games are scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February 2026. This edition returns the Winter Olympics to Italy, distributing events between an urban centre and mountain venues.

Distribution of events and venues

Organisers plan to use a mix of existing and upgraded facilities. Ice sports, such as figure skating and ice hockey, are expected to centre on Milan’s arenas and newly prepared venues in the surrounding region, while alpine skiing, bobsleigh and other mountain disciplines will take place in and around Cortina d’Ampezzo and nearby mountain resorts. The split-location approach aims to balance spectator access with the needs of winter sports disciplines that require mountain terrain.

Infrastructure, sustainability and legacy

Italian authorities have highlighted infrastructure upgrades, including transport links between the host cities, as a priority. Emphasis on sustainability is a recurring theme for recent Olympic bids; organisers have pointed to the reuse of existing venues and temporary facilities to limit new construction. For local communities, the Games offer potential benefits through job creation, tourism and longer-term sporting facilities, though they also bring short-term disruption and budgetary scrutiny.

Conclusion

Answering “2026 winter olympics held in which country”: the Games will be hosted by Italy, centred on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from 6–22 February 2026. For readers, the announcement means early planning for travel and ticketing, watching how organisers manage sustainability and transport, and following athlete qualification paths. The 2026 Games will test Italy’s capacity to stage a geographically split Winter Olympics while leaving a measurable legacy for sport and local economies.