This week, the Olympic flame will rise not over a single city, but across an entire Italian landscape of mountains, ice, and history. The Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will combine historic Alpine tradition with competitions in the heart of Northern Italy.
The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 6th, starting at 2 pm EST at San Siro Stadium in Milan. This event marks the official start of the Games, which will see the Olympic flame lit at locations in both Milan and Cortina
Here are some interesting facts about the upcoming Games:
Unique Opening Ceremony
As with every edition of the Winter Olympics, the Games are officially launched at the Opening Ceremony, and this ceremony is expected to be one of the most exciting in Olympic history.
For the first time ever, the ceremony will take place across multiple locations, with the main action located around the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium.
New Events
Eight new events will feature for the first time at the Games, including:
–Ski mountaineering men’s sprint
–Ski mountaineering women’s sprint
–Ski mountaineering mixed relay
–Skeleton mixed team
–Luge women’s doubles
–Freestyle skiing men’s dual moguls
–Freestyle skiing women’s dual moguls
–Ski jumping women’s large hill individual.
Spread-Out Olympic Footprint
Unlike most previous Olympics, the Milano-Cortina Games are the most geographically dispersed in Olympic history. Events span over 22,000 square kilometers across northern Italy — from Milan in the southwest to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites and even to Alpine towns like Bormio, Livigno, Predazzo, and Anterselva.
Italy’s Winter Olympic Return
Cortina d’Ampezzo previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956.
The 2026 Games mark a return to this classic alpine town, bringing with it seven decades of winter sports and Olympic legacy.
Five-City Hosting Model
The Games aren’t just in Cortina and Milan — multiple clusters host competitions:
–Milan: ice hockey, figure skating, short-track speed skating
–Cortina d’Ampezzo: women’s alpine skiing, curling, sliding sports
–Bormio: men’s alpine skiing, ski mountaineering
–Livigno: snowboarding, freestyle skiing
–Anterselva: biathlon
–Predazzo & Tesero: Nordic events
–Verona — a city famed for its Roman amphitheater — will host the closing ceremony.
Ski Mountaineering Makes Its Olympic Debut
A brand-new sport will be contested at the Olympics: ski mountaineering, a grueling discipline combining uphill skinning with technical downhill skiing. It will include sprint and relay events designed to excite spectators.
Athletes From Around the World
Approximately 2,900 athletes representing about 90 countries are expected to take part, competing across 116 events in 16 winter sports.
The 2026 U.S. Olympic Team features 232 athletes, including 98 returning Olympians and 33 medalists, highlighting a mix of veteran experience and new talent. Key storylines include seven athletes competing in their fifth games, including Lindsey Vonn and Hilary Knight, the debut of ski mountaineering, and 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger.
Olympic Mascots
Tina and Milo
Tina and Milo are named after the host cities, Milano and Cortina. They are described as the first Gen Z mascots, symbolizing agility, resilience, and curiosity.
–Tina is creative and “dreams big,” while Milo is playful and believes that “obstacles are trampolines.”
–Tina and Milo are accompanied by six little snowdrop flowers named “The Flo” and represent rebirth and resilience.
–The mascots were designed by students at the Istituto Comprensivo of Taverna in Calabria, Italy.
Environmental Controversy
Despite strong sustainability messaging, environmental critics have highlighted the extensive use of artificial snow, with more than 1.6 million cubic meters produced, raising concerns about water and energy consumption in fragile alpine ecosystems.
Historic Olympic Medals Unveiled
The medals for Milano Cortina have distinctive designs and specifications. Across Olympic and Paralympic events combined, a staggering 1,146 medals will be awarded. Each Olympic gold medal is made of real gold plated over silver.
Olympic Broadcasting Coverage will occur on NBC, USA, and CNBC, and stream on Peacock and NBC Sports with 2,300+ total hours of coverage highlighting The Winter Games’ biggest moments and events.
The Olympic motto. Citius – Altius – Fortius (“Faster – Higher – Stronger”) will inspire athletes throughout the Games.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics also provide a great educational opportunity for children. Families can explore Italian geography, learn about winter sports, and discover Olympic values such as respect, excellence, and friendship. Watching highlight videos, learning about athletes’ stories, and trying winter activities can bring the Games to life at home.
The Torino Olympics remain a shining example of how sport can bring the world together, celebrating passion, perseverance, and the magic that happens when nations gather in the true Olympic spirit. Erin Jackson, Olympic gold medalist and one of Team USA’s flag bearers for Milano-Cortina 2026, observed: “The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I’m proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”
For the latest schedule, news, and results, go here.
