2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina: Schedule, New Features, and Practical Info

Twenty years after Turin, Italy is preparing to host the 25th Winter Olympic Games from February 6 to 22, 2026. This edition stands out for its multi-venue format, stretching from the vibrant city of Milan to the iconic peaks of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

With a historic gender balance of 47% female athletes, 2,900 competitors, and 116 medal events across 8 sports and 16 disciplines, these Games are set to deliver a spectacular show against the breathtaking backdrop of the Italian Alps and the Dolomites.

• To be read
• The ultimate guide to running and road races in Paris and Île-de-France for 2026

Exciting New Changes Coming in 2026

This edition introduces exciting innovations with the addition of new sports and formats:

• New Sport: Ski mountaineering (also known as Skimo) makes its Olympic debut in Bormio with three events: men's sprint, women's sprint, and mixed relay.
• New Events: Skeleton introduces a mixed relay, luge expands to include a women's doubles race, and ski jumping showcases its first women's individual large hill competition.
• Freestyle Skiing: The parallel moguls event (for both men and women) makes its official debut, promising more thrilling head-to-head battles on the slopes.

Schedule and Highlights

The competition is officially set to kick off on February 6, 2026, with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan.

• February 4: The competition schedule kicks off earlier than usual with the mixed doubles curling event.
• February 6: Opening Ceremony (Milan).
• February 7–22: A marathon of 16 Olympic sports competitions.
• February 22: Closing ceremony held in the historic Roman Arena of Verona.

Event Venues

The events are spread across several geographic regions.

• Milan: Ice hockey, figure skating, and short track.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo: Women's alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.
• Valtellina (Bormio/Livigno): Men's alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing.
• Val di Fiemme: Cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.
• Anterselva: Biathlon.

The mascots

You’ll be sure to spot Tina and Milo, a charming sibling pair of ferrets from Italy, who are the official faces of this year's event. They are joined by six tiny flowers known as the “Flo,” delicate snowflakes of snowdrops representing the season.

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