All the details you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympic Games

That spring of 1978, Radio Sarajevo interrupted its regular programming with the words: “Yugoslavia, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, will host the Winter Olympic Games in 1984.” The city of youth and friendship wrote golden pages in sports history with a record number of participants and viewers worldwide at the time, and ever since, for more than four decades, the Olympic spirit has lived on in the countries of our region. With just one month to go until the start, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games already stand out as some of the most ambitious to date, particularly in geographical terms. Officially named Milano Cortina 2026, the Games will take place across northern Italy, linking historic cities, Alpine resorts, and contemporary arenas into a multicentered celebration of winter sports.

Below, we bring you everything you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

When are the 2026 Winter Olympic Games taking place?

The Milano Cortina Games run from February 6 to February 22, 2026, while qualification and preliminary competitions begin on February 4. Over 17 days of medal contests, athletes from around the world will compete in 16 sports, making these Games among the most extensive to date.

Where are the 2026 Winter Olympic Games being held?

Instead of a single host city, the Games are organized across four main clusters, each representing a different aspect of Italy’s winter landscape.

Milan (Milano)

Italy’s fashion and business capital will host the opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro stadium, as well as competitions in figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey.

Valtellina (Livigno and Stelvio)

This Alpine region will host freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, and men’s alpine skiing, set against spectacular mountain scenery among the most impressive in Europe.

Cortina d’Ampezzo and Anterselva

As a former host of the Winter Olympic Games, Cortina d’Ampezzo once again steps into the spotlight. Women’s alpine skiing, curling, sliding sports (bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton), as well as biathlon will take place here.

Val di Fiemme (Predazzo and Tesero)

A region known for its rich Nordic tradition will host ski jumping and cross-country skiing events.

Mariah Carey at the opening ceremony

The main spectacle, to be held at San Siro stadium and directed by Marco Balich with his studio Balich Wonder Studio, renowned for its striking Olympic ceremonies, will bring together numerous performers, some of whom have already been announced.

The first star in the lineup to perform is Mariah Carey, a five-time Grammy Award winner, recognized for her unique voice and hits such as One Sweet Day, We Belong Together, and All I Want For Christmas Is You. Laura Pausini will also perform, the only Italian artist to achieve global recognition and win numerous awards, including a Grammy, five Latin Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, as well as an Oscar® nomination, over a career spanning more than thirty years.

The program will also feature three internationally acclaimed Italian actors: Matilda De Angelis, who will serve as one of the narrators; Pierfrancesco Favino, who will perform together with violinist Giovanni Zanon; and Sabrina Impacciatore, recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the series The White Lotus.

Which sports are on the program at the 2026 Olympic Games?

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games include 16 sports across ice, snow, and alpine disciplines. Ski mountaineering stands out in particular, as it will be included in the Olympic program for the first time, bringing an endurance-based discipline that combines ascent and fast descent, perfectly suited to Italy’s rugged mountain terrain.

Early competitions include ice hockey, curling, ski jumping, and alpine skiing, while medal events will take place throughout the duration of the Games.

Is it still possible to buy tickets for the Winter Olympic Games in Milan?

Tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games went on sale earlier this year. While some of the most sought-after events are already sold out, tickets are still available for a large number of sports sessions. All tickets can be purchased exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website, and prices vary significantly depending on the sporting event in question, such as opening and closing ceremonies, competitions, and more.