If you’re anything like me, you probably spent a good chunk of the last few years wondering how on earth the Olympic calendar works anymore. Between the weird delays and the back-to-back announcements, it's hard to keep track. Honestly, though, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been on a bit of a roll lately. They've already mapped out where we're going for the next decade.
Basically, the "where are the next Olympics" question doesn't have just one answer. It's a whole tour. We’re going from the Italian Alps to the beaches of Los Angeles, then back to the French mountains, and eventually down to Australia. It is a lot.
Here is the straightforward breakdown of the host cities that have actually been confirmed.
The Next Winter Olympics: Milano Cortina 2026
The very next time you’ll see the Olympic torch lit is February 6, 2026. This one is special because it isn’t just a "city" host. Italy is doing something a bit different by splitting the Games between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
It makes sense. Milan has the big stadiums for things like figure skating and hockey, while Cortina has the actual mountains. If you remember the 1956 Games, Cortina has been here before. They’re basically the experts on downhill skiing.
The dates are set: February 6 to February 22, 2026.
Interestingly, the opening ceremony is happening at San Siro in Milan (that massive football stadium), but the closing ceremony is going to be in the Verona Arena. Yes, an actual Roman amphitheater. It’s going to look incredible on TV.
Where Are the Next Olympics in the Summer? Hello, LA28
Once the snow melts in Italy, everyone starts looking toward Southern California. The 2028 Summer Olympics—officially "LA28"—are coming back to the United States.
The dates for this one are July 14 to July 30, 2028.
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Los Angeles is joining a very elite club. It will be the third time they’ve hosted (after 1932 and 1984), putting them on par with London and Paris. But the 2028 version is going to feel way more modern. They are leaning hard into existing venues. No one wants to see more abandoned stadiums rotting after the Games leave, so they’re using SoFi Stadium and the historic Memorial Coliseum.
There's even talk of "dual" opening ceremonies.
New sports are also hitting the lineup in LA. We’re talking flag football and squash making their debut. Plus, cricket is coming back for the first time since 1900. It’s a pretty big shift in what we usually think of as "Olympic" sports.
Looking Further Out: 2030 and 2032
The IOC got tired of the drama of bidding wars, so they’ve already locked in the start of the next decade.
The French Alps 2030 (Winter)
In 2030, we head back to France. The "French Alps" bid won the rights, focusing on the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. If you like Chamonix or Meribel, you’ll recognize the scenery. They are aiming for the most sustainable Games yet, using almost 95% existing venues.
Brisbane 2032 (Summer)
Then, it's Australia’s turn again. Brisbane was picked for the 2032 Summer Games. It'll be the third time Australia hosts, and honestly, the vibes in Queensland are going to be wild. They have a massive "ten-year runway" to get ready, so expect a lot of infrastructure talk from them in the coming years.
The Surprising Return to Utah in 2034
Just recently, the IOC officially confirmed that the Winter Olympics are returning to Salt Lake City in 2034.
People in Utah are pretty stoked about this. The 2002 Games there were actually profitable, which is rare for the Olympics. Because they’ve kept all their facilities in world-class shape, they basically just have to turn the lights back on. It’s officially being branded as "Utah 2034" to include the surrounding mountain towns that do the heavy lifting for the skiing events.
Quick Reference Table of Future Hosts
| Year | Season | Host Location | Confirmed Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Winter | Milan & Cortina, Italy | Feb 6 – Feb 22 |
| 2028 | Summer | Los Angeles, USA | July 14 – July 30 |
| 2030 | Winter | French Alps, France | Feb 1 – Feb 17 |
| 2032 | Summer | Brisbane, Australia | July 23 – Aug 8 |
| 2034 | Winter | Salt Lake City-Utah, USA | Feb 10 – Feb 26 |
Why the Locations are Changing So Much
You’ve probably noticed that we aren’t seeing "new" cities as much anymore. It’s not a coincidence. The IOC’s "New Norm" policy basically begs cities to stop building white elephants. They want places that already have the gear. That’s why we’re seeing repeats like LA, Italy, and Salt Lake.
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It’s cheaper, it’s faster, and it doesn't leave the local taxpayers with a billion-dollar bill for a bobsled track no one will ever use again.
What This Means for You
If you’re planning on actually going to any of these, you need to be fast. Tickets for Milano Cortina 2026 are already becoming a major topic of discussion in travel circles. For LA28, the registration for ticket info usually starts years in advance.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your passport: If you’re heading to Italy in 2026, make sure you don't expire mid-trip.
- Follow official accounts: The only place to get real, non-scam tickets is through the official Olympic.com portal or the specific host site (like MilanoCortina2026.org).
- Book accommodation early: For the Winter Games in 2026, mountain lodging in Cortina is already being scooped up by sponsors and federations. If you aren't looking now, you might be staying three hours away.
The road to 2034 is long, but at least now you know exactly where the map is taking us.