Milan Cortina 2026, countdown begins for the Winter Olympics

The countdown has officially begun for Milan Cortina 2026. From 6 to 22 February, Italy will host the 25th Winter Olympic Games, bringing the Olympics back to the country twenty years after Turin 2006. The event will cover an unprecedented geographical area, with competitions spread across Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige.

Milan will serve as the urban hub of the Games, hosting ice hockey and skating events, while Alpine venues will stage the main snow disciplines. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, Tesero and Antholz-Anterselva will be key locations in a scattered Olympics designed to showcase different regions, while also creating significant organizational challenges.

Infrastructure remains a central issue, with new arenas, Olympic villages and upgraded transport links. Cortina’s bobsleigh track is among the most debated projects, raising questions over costs, deadlines and long-term use. At the same time, a major security operation has been activated, involving Italy’s main law enforcement agencies.

On the sporting side, Italy enters the Games with high expectations and hopes of capitalizing on the home advantage. Milan Cortina 2026 is set to be both a global showcase and a crucial test of Italy’s ability to deliver one of the largest international events in recent years.