MILANO CORTINA 2026
(Get your coats and gloves ready! The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, are coming to transform Northern Italy into the global epicenter of sports.
For the first time in history, the Winter Olympics will have two official host cities in its name, reflecting a new model of sustainability and the use of existing infrastructure.
📅 Dates and Locations
The Games will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Unlike previous editions concentrated in a single Olympic village, 2026 will be spread across a vast region of Italy:
Milan: Hosting the Opening Ceremony (at the iconic San Siro Stadium) and ice sports such as hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: The famous ski resort that will host women's alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.
Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva: Other alpine regions that will house events like snowboarding, ski jumping, and biathlon.
Verona: This charming city will be the stage for the Closing Ceremony, held at the historic Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater.
🆕 What’s New?
The big highlight of this edition is the debut of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo). This sport combines mountaineering and alpine skiing, where athletes must climb snowy peaks (sometimes carrying their skis) and then descend at high speeds.
Additionally, new events will be added to well-known disciplines:
Women’s doubles Luge.
Mixed team Skeleton.
New categories in Ski Jumping and Freestyle Skiing.
🦊 The Mascots: Tina and Milo
The mascots for this edition are two stoat siblings (winter weasels):
Tina: Represents the Olympic Games. Her name is a shorthand for Cor-tina.
Milo: Represents the Paralympic Games (taking place in March). His name comes from Milo-ano (Milan).
They were chosen to convey a message of resilience, curiosity, and the vibrant spirit of Italian youth.
🌍 Sustainability First
Milan-Cortina 2026 aims to be one of the most sustainable editions in history. Around 90% of the facilities used already exist or are temporary, avoiding the construction of "white elephants." The organizing committee also focuses on using renewable energy and protecting alpine biodiversity.
📺 How to Watch?
Global broadcasting of the Games will reach billions of people through various television networks and streaming platforms, ensuring that winter sports fans don't miss a single moment of the competitions in the Italian mountains.)