The event will gather athletes from over 90 countries, featuring record female participation and new events like ski mountaineering.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — The 2026 Winter Olympics will open Feb. 6 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, bringing together athletes from more than 90 countries across 16 disciplines.
Competitors will represent both traditional winter-sports nations, including Norway and Canada, as well as countries less commonly associated with snow and ice, such as Kenya, India and Saudi Arabia.
Athletes will compete for a record 195 medals in events ranging from long-established sports such as alpine skiing, hockey and figure skating to newer additions like big air snowboarding. The program also introduces ski mountaineering as a brand-new Olympic event.
This year’s Games will feature the highest percentage of women athletes in Winter Olympics history.
Venues are spread across northern Italy, where events will unfold against the backdrop of the region’s mountain landscapes.