If you’re trying to pin down exactly where the 2026 Olympics are, don’t look for a single pin on a map. You won’t find one. Unlike the centralized bubbles we saw in Beijing or the tightly packed venues of London, the Milano Cortina 2026 Games are going to be sprawling.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a logistical beast.
For the first time in Olympic history, two cities—Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo—are sharing the top billing. But even that’s a bit of a simplification. The events are actually scattered across a massive 22,000-square-kilometer chunk of Northern Italy. We’re talking about the Lombardy and Veneto regions, plus the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano.
Basically, if you’re planning to watch a hockey game in the morning and a downhill ski race in the afternoon, you better have a helicopter. Or at least a very fast car and a lot of patience for Italian mountain roads.
Why the 2026 Olympics are everywhere at once
The decision to spread the Games out wasn't just a whim. It's actually part of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) "New Norm" policy. The goal? Stop building massive, expensive "white elephant" stadiums that rot away once the closing ceremony ends.
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Instead, Italy is using what it already has.
Milan brings the big-city energy and the massive indoor arenas. Cortina d'Ampezzo—the "Queen of the Dolomites"—brings the prestige of the 1956 Winter Games. By connecting these two, the organizers are trying to prove that the Olympics can be sustainable, even if it means the athletes are sleeping in four different Olympic Villages.
The Milan Cluster: Ice and Fanfare
Milan is the heartbeat of the 2026 Games, but don’t expect to see much snow in the city center. It’s mostly about the ice here.
- San Siro Stadium: This legendary football cathedral is turning 100 in 2026. It won’t host any sports, but it is the site for the Opening Ceremony. Seeing 80,000 people in that historic bowl for a winter event will be something else.
- Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena: A brand-new venue being built specifically for the Games. It’ll hold 14,000 screaming fans.
- Rho Fiera Milano: This is actually a massive exhibition center. They’re converting the pavilions into a temporary speed skating oval. It’s a clever way to avoid building a permanent facility that the city doesn’t really need long-term.
- Mediolanum Forum: This is where the figure skating and short track speed skating will go down. If you’re a fan of the "ice dance" drama, this is your home base.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: The UNESCO Backdrop
If you want the "postcard" version of the Olympics, this is it. Cortina is surrounded by the jagged, pink-tinged peaks of the Dolomites. It’s arguably the most beautiful place on Earth to watch a sport.
The Olimpia delle Tofane slope will host the women’s Alpine skiing. It’s a terrifyingly fast course that has been a staple on the World Cup circuit for decades. Meanwhile, the sliding sports—bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton—are slated for the Cortina Sliding Centre. This has been a point of massive controversy lately because of the costs and environmental impact of rebuilding the historic Eugenio Monti track.
The "Other" Places: Valtellina and Val di Fiemme
This is where the "where are the 2026 Olympics" question gets even more complicated. You’ve got two other major clusters that aren't even in the name of the Games.
Valtellina is where the adrenaline junkies go. Bormio will host the men’s Alpine skiing on the "Stelvio" piste. It’s one of the most technical and brutal downhill runs in the world. Interestingly, Bormio is also the site for the Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering (or Skimo). Think of it as a mix of hiking uphill on skis and racing back down.
Then there’s Livigno. It’s a high-altitude plateau known as "Little Tibet." This will be the hub for snowboarding and freestyle skiing. If you like flips, tricks, and big air, Livigno is the place.
Val di Fiemme is the soul of Nordic sport.
- Tesero: Home to cross-country skiing.
- Predazzo: The location for ski jumping and Nordic combined.
- Anterselva (Antholz): This is actually a bit further east, near the Austrian border. It’s the undisputed Mecca of Biathlon. The atmosphere there is usually more like a beer festival than a quiet ski race.
Key dates for your calendar
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off on February 6, 2026, and run through February 22, 2026.
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But wait, there’s more. The Paralympic Winter Games start shortly after, running from March 6 to March 15, 2026.
The Closing Ceremony won't be in Milan or Cortina. Instead, it’s heading south to the Arena di Verona. Yes, a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater. Imagine the Olympic flame flickering against ancient Roman stone while opera singers perform. It’s going to be a vibe.
What's actually new this time?
Aside from the geography, the sports lineup is getting a bit of a facelift.
We already mentioned Ski Mountaineering, which is making its first-ever Olympic appearance. But we’re also seeing a few new formats. Dual Moguls is joining the freestyle skiing program. It’s much more spectator-friendly because it’s a head-to-head race rather than just skiing against the clock.
There’s also Women's Doubles Luge. About time, right?
And for the ski jumpers, the traditional men’s team event is being replaced by a "Super Team" format. Instead of four athletes, it’s teams of two. It makes it easier for smaller countries to compete, which is great for the growth of the sport.
Real talk: The challenges and controversies
It hasn't been all "dolce vita" in the lead-up. Organizing an Olympics across half a country is a nightmare.
Construction delays have been a huge talking point in the Italian press. As of early 2025, only a handful of the planned 59 infrastructure projects were actually finished. There’s a lot of "rushed construction" happening right now, which always brings up concerns about labor rights and costs.
The budget has already jumped by about 7%. The current operating cost is sitting around €1.7 billion, but that doesn't even count the billions the Italian government is pouring into roads and railways to make sure people can actually get from Milan to the mountains.
Climate change is the other elephant in the room. The FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) has been vocal about the fact that it's getting harder to find reliable snow. During the test events in late 2025, temperatures were so warm they could only make snow at night. There's a growing movement to move the Winter Olympics to a "permanent rotation" of venues that actually have cold weather, but for 2026, Italy is doubling down on its snow-making technology.
Actionable steps for fans
If you’re planning to go, you need to be strategic. You cannot see everything.
- Pick a Cluster: Decide if you want "City" (Milan) or "Mountain" (Cortina/Bormio). Commuting between them takes 4 to 5 hours. It’s not a day trip.
- Check the Ticket Portal: Tickets are sold through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website. Use the "Make Your Games" tool to bundle sessions.
- Book Housing Now: The Dolomites are a luxury tourist destination even without the Olympics. If you wait until late 2025, you’ll be sleeping in your car or paying €1,000 a night for a closet.
- Transport is Key: Look into the "Olympic Trains" that the Italian government is fast-tracking. They will likely be the only way to bypass the traffic jams on the narrow mountain passes.
Basically, the 2026 Olympics are going to be a beautiful, chaotic, Italian-style celebration. It’s a test of whether a decentralized Games can actually work without breaking the bank or the planet. We’ll find out in February.
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Check the official Olympic schedule for specific event times in Bormio or Anterselva if you're targeting a specific sport like Biathlon or the new Skimo events.