Winter Olympics 2026 Milano Cortina: Dates, Venues, Torch, Sports, India & Key Facts
All Eyes on Italy
All eyes are on Italy as it prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026. This global sporting event will bring together nearly 2,900 athletes from around 90 countries, competing across 16 winter sports for 116 gold medals.
The Games will officially begin on February 6, 2026, and conclude on February 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 6 to March 15, 2026.
Winter Olympics 2026 Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition begins (Curling) | February 4, 2026 |
| Olympic Flame arrives in Milan | February 5, 2026 |
| Opening Ceremony | February 6, 2026 |
| First Gold Medal Events | February 7, 2026 |
| Closing Ceremony | February 22, 2026 |
| Paralympics | March 6–15, 2026 |
Opening Ceremony: Milan’s San Siro Stadium
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics 2026 will take place at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan.
- Date: February 6, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM CET / 12:30 AM IST (Feb 7)
- The Olympic Flame arrives at San Siro on the same day
Closing Ceremony: Historic Verona Arena
The closing ceremony will be held on February 22, 2026, at the legendary Verona Arena, the oldest sports stadium in the world.
Why Verona Arena?
- Symbol of Italy’s cultural legacy
- First Winter Olympics where opening and closing ceremonies are at different venues
- Chosen to create a lasting Olympic legacy
Theme: “Beauty in Motion”
The ceremony will celebrate:
- Italian excellence
- Art, culture, and technology
- The enduring spirit of the Verona Arena
Over 800 performers, including musicians, dancers, technicians, and volunteers, will be involved. The ceremony will end with the handover to the 2030 Winter Olympics (French Alps).
Olympic Flame & Torch Relay
Torch Design
- Sleek, metallic, minimal design
- Narrow body with a curved top
- Designed to highlight the flame itself
Torch Relay Journey
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Lighting Ceremony | November 25, 2025 – Olympia, Greece |
| Total Duration | 63 days |
| Total Stops | 60 |
| Distance Covered | ~7,500 miles |
| Italian Provinces Covered | All 110 |
The flame reached Cortina on January 26, marking 70 years since the 1956 Winter Olympics, and will arrive at San Siro on February 6.
10,000+ Torchbearers
More than 10,000 torchbearers will accompany the flame across Italy:
- Volunteers
- Italian Olympic & Paralympic athletes
- Past Olympic champions
- Celebrities like Jackie Chan
Venues & Geography: Most Spread-Out Winter Games
Milano Cortina 2026 will be the most geographically spread-out Winter Olympics ever.
| Location | Key Events |
|---|---|
| Milan | Opening ceremony, ice sports |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | Alpine skiing |
| Valtellina | Skiing events |
| Val di Fiemme | Nordic skiing |
| Anterselva | Biathlon |
| Verona | Closing ceremony |
Milan and Cortina are 400 km apart, while Verona is 160 km from Milan.
Sports & Medals
- 16 sports
- 116 medal events
- New sport added: Ski Mountaineering (Skimo)
Popular Sports Include
- Alpine Skiing
- Figure Skating
- Ice Hockey
- Biathlon
- Snowboarding
- Ski Mountaineering (New)
Key Medal Dates to Watch
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 7 | First gold medal events |
| Feb 8 | Women’s Alpine Skiing Downhill |
| Feb 13 | Men’s Figure Skating |
| Feb 18 | Women’s Alpine Skiing Slalom |
| Feb 19 | Women’s Figure Skating & Ice Hockey |
| Feb 22 | Men’s Ice Hockey Final & Closing Ceremony |
Where to Watch Winter Olympics 2026 Live
- Global broadcast via official Olympic rights holders
- India: Likely to be streamed on JioHotstar (official confirmation awaited)
India at the Winter Olympics 2026
India will be represented by:
- Arif Mohammad Khan – Alpine Skiing (Slalom)
- Aanchal Thakur – Alpine Skiing (Gold medallist at Khelo India Winter Games 2025)
Abhinav Bindra has also been selected as a torchbearer.
Countries Banned from Winter Olympics 2026
- Russia & Belarus: Banned from team and qualification events due to the Ukraine conflict
- Israel: Cleared to participate by the IOC
Winter Olympics 2026 Logo, Motto & Mascot
- Motto: “IT’s Your Vibe”
- Logo: Symbolizes creativity, unity, and modern Italy
- Mascot: Tina, a white stoat representing agility and resilience
- Brand Characters: “The Flo” inspired by snowdrop flowers
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Italy’s Olympic Hosting History
| Year | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Winter Olympics | Cortina d’Ampezzo |
| 1960 | Summer Olympics | Rome |
| 2006 | Winter Olympics | Turin |
| 2026 | Winter Olympics | Milan–Cortina |
Brief History of the Olympic Games
- Ancient Olympics: Started in 776 BCE in Greece
- Modern Olympics: Revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin
- Winter Olympics: Introduced in 1924 (Chamonix, France)
- Paralympics: Began in 1960
- Olympic values: Excellence, Friendship, Respect, Unity
Role of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- Established in 1894
- Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Governs Olympic Games
- Selects host cities
- Promotes fair play, peace, and global cooperation
Why Winter Olympics 2026 Are Important
- Promotes global unity through sports
- Boosts Italy’s tourism & economy
- Encourages winter sports development
- Focus on sustainability & eco-friendly infrastructure
- Expands Olympic sports with Skimo
Conclusion
The Winter Olympics 2026 in Italy promise to be a perfect blend of sport, culture, history, and innovation. From the historic Verona Arena to the modern San Siro Stadium, and from elite athletes to new sports like ski mountaineering, Milano Cortina 2026 is set to deliver a truly unforgettable Olympic experience.