Milan-Cortina 2026: A Historic Winter Olympics

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are set to commence on February 6, 2026, marking a significant global sporting event. This year's games will introduce ski mountaineering, a sport deeply connected to the Alpine culture, for the first time in Olympic history. Alongside this debut, freestyle skiing will feature dual moguls, and skeleton will host a mixed team event, enhancing gender equality and viewer excitement.

Spanning 8,500 square miles, these games are the most geographically widespread ever. Venues are spread across Northern Italy, with Milan hosting skating and hockey, and Cortina facilitating curling and sliding events. Sustainability is a core focus, with organizers aiming for 100% renewable energy and utilizing existing infrastructure for most facilities.

Travelers may find closer access to certain venues, like Cortina, by flying into Venice or Innsbruck, Austria, rather than Milan. The organization has launched the Transport Milano Cortina 2026 app to aid navigation via shuttles and trains. Tickets are available through the official platform, with hospitality packages also offered, though demand for popular events is high.

While emphasizing sustainability, the games face scrutiny regarding their carbon footprint due to the vast distances between venues. Nevertheless, the legacy of the Olympics is expected to further boost the Dolomites region's appeal, both for winter sports and year-round tourism, highlighting its UNESCO-recognized natural beauty.