2026 Winter Olympics: Full Guide — Dates, Venues, Sports and Highlights
The 2026 Winter Olympics — officially known as the XXV Olympic Winter Games — are set to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This edition of the Winter Games promises a spectacular celebration of winter sports, global athletic excellence, cultural heritage and international unity.
Dates and Host Cities
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held from February 6 to February 22, 2026. The events are co-hosted by two regions in northern Italy:
- Milan, a major metropolitan and cultural centre
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, a scenic mountain resort in the Dolomites
This marks a unique collaboration between an urban hub and a mountain venue, blending tradition and modernity in Olympic staging.
Venues and Competition Sites
The Games will be spread across multiple venues in northern Italy, catering to different winter sports disciplines:
Milan Venues
- Iceberg Skating Palace – figure skating and short track speed skating
- Mediolanum Forum – hockey and ice sports
- Fiera Milano Rho – curling and other indoor events
Cortina d’Ampezzo and Dolomites
- Olimpia delle Tofane – alpine skiing
- Eugenio Monti Olympic Track – bobsleigh, skeleton and luge
- Other Dolomite Mountains – cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic combined
Additional events are also planned in nearby Italian towns and mountain venues to make full use of the region’s winter sports infrastructure and natural terrain.
Sports and Disciplines
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature competitions across 15 winter sport disciplines, including:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Snowboarding
- Speed Skating
These disciplines will be split into 109 medal events, with athletes from around the world competing for Olympic glory.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will take place on February 6, 2026. Organisers have promised a spectacular showcase of Italian culture, heritage and artistic creativity, blending tradition with innovative performance art.
The ceremony is expected to feature symbolic representations of the Alps, music, dance, and a colourful parade of nations — embodying the Olympic spirit of unity and peaceful competition.
Key Highlights and Expectations
Global Participation
Athletes from more than 90 countries are expected to compete, representing the widest winter sports community on the Olympic stage. The Games provide a platform not just for traditional winter powerhouses but also for emerging athletes from countries with developing winter sports programs.
Sustainability and Legacy
The Milan–Cortina 2026 Organising Committee has emphasised sustainability, promising environmentally responsible venues, reuse of existing infrastructure and minimal ecological impact. This approach aligns with broader Olympic goals of sustainability and long-term legacy planning.
Cultural and Economic Impact
The Games are anticipated to deliver a major boost to tourism, hospitality and local economies in northern Italy. Cultural programmes across Milan and the Dolomites will also spotlight Italian art, history and regional traditions.
Why the 2026 Winter Olympics Matter
The Winter Olympics have always been a showcase of athletic excellence, human resilience and international cooperation. In 2026, the blend of an urban host city and scenic mountain venues reflects both modern Olympic dynamics and deep roots in winter sports culture.
From the thrill of the ski slopes to the precision of the ice rinks, the Games will offer memorable moments for fans worldwide, and the red-carpet spectacle of the opening and closing ceremonies will celebrate diverse cultures united under the Olympic flag.
Conclusion
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo promise to be a landmark event in the history of winter sports — combining world-class competition with Italian flair. With top athletes preparing to give their all and millions of fans tuning in from around the globe, the Games are set to be an unforgettable celebration of sport, culture and unity.