What Italian cities are co-hosting the Winter Olympics from February 6-22, 2026?

The upcoming Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6-22, 2026, will be a historic event as they are officially co-hosted by two prominent Italian cities: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This marks the first time in Olympic history that the Winter Games will be shared between two cities located over 250 miles apart, signifying a new approach to Olympic hosting.

Milan, a bustling northern metropolis known for fashion and business, will be the primary hub for many indoor ice competitions, including ice hockey (Deals), figure skating, and speed skating. It will also have the honor of hosting the opening ceremony. In contrast, Cortina d'Ampezzo, nestled in the picturesque Dolomites, is a renowned alpine town with a rich winter sports tradition. Cortina will serve as the centerpiece for alpine events, such as alpine skiing, and sliding disciplines. Notably, Cortina d'Ampezzo previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, bringing a sense of heritage to the 2026 Games.

This dual-city model, officially branded Milano Cortina 2026, was chosen with a strong emphasis on sustainability and financial responsibility. The organizers aim to utilize 92% existing or temporary venues and leverage regions with pre-existing tourism industries, thereby reducing the need for extensive new construction and minimizing environmental impact. This distributed approach extends to athlete accommodation, with a decentralized, six-village model spread across northern Italy, rather than a single Olympic village.

The decision to spread the events across northern Italy, including additional venues in areas like Livigno for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, and Antholz for biathlon, reflects a conscious effort to make the Games more manageable and leave a lasting positive legacy for the host regions. This innovative hosting model is seen as a test case for future Olympic Games, aiming to demonstrate a more sustainable and economically viable path forward for major international sporting events.