The 2026 Winter Olympic torch relay ignites tradition and unites Italy, journeying from Greece to Milan with 10,000 torchbearers over 63 days,
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — The 2026 Winter Olympic torch relay officially began with the lighting of the flame in Greece. Organizers call it “the greatest journey,” as the torch will travel through Greece before arriving in Italy on Dec. 6 in Rome.
For 63 days, the flame will crisscross Italy, stopping in more than 60 cities and covering the country from its islands to the Alps. The relay will involve about 10,000 torchbearers passing the flame hand to hand, culminating at San Siro Stadium in Milan for the opening ceremony on Feb. 6.
Maria Laura Iascone, director of ceremonies for Milan-Cortina 2026, said the relay aims to “create passion for the Games” and unite Italy in celebration of its Olympic heritage.
This will be Italy’s fourth time hosting the Olympics and the second for Cortina d’Ampezzo, which first welcomed the Winter Games in 1956. Some venues from those Games will be used again in 2026.
Giacomo Colli, deputy events manager for the Games, has a personal connection to that history. His grandfather, Bruno Colli, carried the Olympic torch in 1956 and hopes to do so again during the upcoming relay.
The Milan-Cortina Games will feature events across northern Italy, with Milan hosting the opening ceremony and Cortina serving as a key venue for alpine sports.