With just days remaining until the opening ceremony on 6 February 2026, the world is turning its attention to Milan–Cortina Olympics, a highly anticipated global sporting festival split between the metropolitan energy of Milan–Cortina Olympics and the alpine landscapes of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
More than 2,800 athletes from over 90 nations will compete across 116 medal events, making this one of the largest Winter Games ever staged. The event marks Italy’s first Winter Milan–Cortina Olympics since 2006 and promises a fusion of heritage venues, next-generation sports infrastructure and new Olympic disciplines designed to elevate winter sport to broader global audiences.
A Dual-City Olympic Vision Rooted in Heritage and Modernity
Italy’s winning bid for the 2026 Winter Milan–Cortina Olympics emphasised sustainability, regional collaboration and the strategic use of existing venues. Milan’s modern arenas and financial district provide the urban contrast to Cortina’s iconic alpine slopes, which hosted the Winter Games in 1956.
Organisers have highlighted that nearly 93% of competition venues are pre-existing or renovated structures, significantly reducing environmental impact and operational footprint. The Italian Olympic Committee expects more than 1 million spectators across all venues, with record-breaking tourism flows projected for the Lombardy and Veneto regions.
Officials overseeing the Games have emphasised that this edition will be “a festival of winter sport and Italian culture,” underscoring the blend of artistic presentation, sustainability goals and community participation that define the 2026 vision.
Athletes, Nations and High-Stakes Competition
The 2026 Games will see the return of global favourites in alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, snowboarding, speed skating and biathlon, alongside intensified rivalries expected in freestyle skiing and team skating disciplines.
Nations such as the United States, Canada, Norway, Japan, Germany and Switzerland are among the traditional medal contenders, while emerging winter sport nations including Australia, South Korea and several Eastern European delegations have expanded their athlete rosters.
Italy enters the Games as a strong host nation, especially in alpine skiing, speed skating and biathlon. With enhanced investments in athlete development made since 2020, Italian teams are positioned to deliver standout performances in front of home crowds.
Training data suggests that several Italian alpine athletes have recorded top-tier timings on the newly renovated Cortina slopes, fuelling expectations of medal finishes in technical events. Coaches from various international teams have noted that the dual-venue layout, varied altitudes and weather patterns will demand exceptional adaptability, making this edition one of the most technical and challenging Winter Games in recent years.
New Sports and New Formats
The 2026 Winter Milan–Cortina Olympics will mark a defining moment for the evolution of winter sport, introducing a slate of new disciplines and revised competition formats designed to broaden global appeal and foster greater inclusivity.
- Ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut, marking a milestone for endurance mountain sport.
- Mixed-gender team formats expand across multiple disciplines, reflecting the IOC’s ongoing push for gender-balanced competition.
- Enhanced freestyle and snowboarding events, including expanded big-air and team competitions, aim to attract younger global audiences.
- Technologically enhanced timing and scoring systems will provide real-time analytics for broadcasters, coaches and athletes.
- New sustainability standards in venue operations and athlete village energy use set benchmarks for future Winter Games.
Logistics, Security and Sustainability
Italian authorities have coordinated one of the most extensive security and logistics operations ever deployed for a European sporting event. More than 18,000 personnel from national and regional agencies are working together to manage transport, crowd flow, cyber-protection and emergency response readiness.
Enhanced digital systems will support real-time monitoring across venues, airports and transit hubs. The Games also highlight Italy’s environmental commitments, with organisers targeting a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to previous editions. Renewable energy sources will power the majority of competition venues, and the Milan–Cortina Olympics organising committee has issued strict material reuse policies.
Transport solutions include expanded high-speed rail services connecting Milan–Cortina Olympics, Verona, Treviso and Cortina, as well as shuttle networks designed to reduce car traffic through sensitive alpine zones.
What Lies Ahead
As final rehearsals begin for the opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan–Cortina Olympics, anticipation continues to mount around what many expect to be one of the most technologically advanced and globally inclusive Winter Milan–Cortina Olympics ever held.
The 2026 Games arrive at a moment when winter sports are expanding their geographic footprint, athletic training is being reshaped by data-driven performance science and global broadcasters are demanding fresh storytelling formats for younger audiences.
For Italy, the event represents far more than a sporting festival; it is a national showcase of culture, innovation, design, infrastructure and resilience. For the global sporting community, it promises a renewed celebration of winter excellence, intensified competition and a glimpse into the future of the Winter Games.
With the world preparing to watch more than two weeks of snow, ice, speed and artistry unfold across two iconic regions, the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics stand poised to define the next chapter of international winter sport.
