The games will take place across multiple regions in Northern Italy, making it the first Winter Olympics to bear the names of two cities.
WASHINGTON — In just a few months, the Olympic flame will arrive in Milan, Italy, to kick off the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The games will take place across multiple regions in Northern Italy, making it the first Winter Olympics to bear the names of two cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The sports event runs from Feb. 6, 2026, through Feb. 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games a month later.
A total of 15 venues will host about 3,500 athletes from around the world competing in the Winter Olympics next year.
The Milan-Cortina Games will have “the most spread-out” opening ceremony in history, according to organizers. The ceremony will take place in several different locations: Milan, Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno.
The 2026 Winter Olympics also mark the return of the Winter Games to Cortina d’Ampezzo, which hosted them in 1956.
Where are the venues?
The Winter Olympics will use 15 venues across multiple regions, including Lombardy, Veneto and the autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano.
According to the International Olympic Committee, the spread allows for the maximum use of existing venues, reducing the need for new construction and reducing the carbon footprint.
The venues featured will include Milano Ice Skating Arena; Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium; Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena; Milano Speed Skating Stadium; Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena; Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium; Cortina Sliding Centre; Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre; Anterselva Biathlon Arena; Stelvio Ski Centre; Livigno Snow Park; Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park; Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium; Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium and Verona Olympic Arena.
When is the opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony will take place Feb. 6, 2026.
The Parade of Nations will feature athletes led by the national flagbearers not only in Milan’s San Siro Stadium, which will be packed with 60,000 spectators, but also, for the first time in Olympic history, in three other locations: the mountain venues of Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno.
Organizers said the concept for the Opening Ceremony will be “Harmony,’’ representing the duality of the urban and mountain venues for these games, as well as an appeal in a moment of enormous global tensions.
Headliners will be named later, but organizers announced a moment of tribute for the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died Sept. 4 at the age of 91.
Each nation is allotted two flagbearers, and they can appear in two different venues. Italy, as host, will have four flagbearers, two men and two women.
Similarly, the Olympic flame will burn in two locations: The Arco della Pace in central Milan and in Cortina’s main Piazza Dibona. The design of the caldrons has yet to be revealed.
The closing ceremony will take place on Feb. 22, 2026 at Verona Olympic Arena. The historic venue is known for world-class opera performances, which will be highlighted during the closing ceremony, according to the IOC.