In which two Italian cities were the 2026 Winter Olympics held?

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games took place across two primary Italian cities, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. These locations were selected as the official co-hosts on June 24, 2019, during the 134th IOC Session held in Lausanne, Switzerland. This particular edition of the Winter Games marked a historic first, as it was the inaugural time that the Olympic Games were officially co-hosted by two cities, reflecting a new approach by the International Olympic Committee to promote sustainability and reduce costs by utilizing existing infrastructure.

Milan, a global capital of fashion and finance, served as the hub for many of the indoor ice events, including figure skating, short track speed skating, and ice hockey (Deals), and also hosted the opening ceremony at the iconic Stadio San Siro. Meanwhile, the picturesque mountain resort (Review) of Cortina d'Ampezzo, nestled in the Dolomites, took charge of the alpine and sliding sports such as alpine skiing, bobsleigh, and luge. Cortina d'Ampezzo also holds a special place in Olympic history, having previously hosted the Winter Games in 1956.

Beyond these two central cities, events for the 2026 Winter Olympics were strategically spread across a wider geographical area in northern Italy, encompassing other venues in locations like Livigno, Bormio, Predazzo, and Antholz. This decentralized model allowed for a more efficient use of existing facilities, aligning with the bid's commitment to economic and environmental sustainability. The Games also introduced ski mountaineering as a new Olympic sport, adding an exciting dimension to the competition. The official mascots, Tina and Milo, stoats named as diminutives of Cortina and Milano, further symbolized the collaborative spirit of these groundbreaking Games.