What makes the Winter Olympics Italy 2026 unique?

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is the first edition ever hosted by two cities located almost 400 km apart: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This means you’ll experience both a lively metropolitan vibe and stunning Alpine scenery in one Olympic trip. The Games also introduce new sports, reuse existing venues, and put sustainability at the heart of the event.

Which sports are happening in Milan and which in Cortina for Milano Cortina 2026?

Milan hosts urban ice sports like figure skating, short-track, ice hockey, speed skating, and the Opening Ceremony at San Siro. Cortina hosts women’s alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and curling. Other locations such as Bormio, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, and Antholz host downhill, freestyle, cross-country, biathlon, and more.

What new sports or events will debut at the Winter Olympics 2026?

Milano Cortina features several additions: ski mountaineering, dual moguls, team alpine combined, women’s large hill ski jumping, women’s luge doubles, and mixed relay skeleton. If you’re excited about the evolution of winter sports, 2026 is a must-see.

When does the Winter Olympics Italy 2026 take place?

The Games run from February 6-22, 2026. Some preliminary competitions—like curling—start earlier, on February 4. Big dates include the Opening Ceremony (February 6), ski mountaineering debut events, figure skating finals (February 19), and the Closing Ceremony in Verona (February 22).

How can I buy Winter Olympics tickets for Milano Cortina 2026?

Tickets will be sold exclusively through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website. Registration opens in February 2025. You can buy up to 4 tickets for ceremonies and up to 10 tickets per sport session. Prices start at around €50, but high-demand events—like alpine skiing and figure skating—will sell out fast.

How do I travel between Milan, Cortina, and other Winter Olympics venues?

Italy’s trains and regional buses make traveling easy, but distances matter: Milan and Cortina are about 400 km apart (roughly 6 hours by public transport). Cortina also limits private cars, so shuttle buses are mandatory on event days. For the smoothest trip, we recommend choosing two bases depending on the events you’re attending.

Where should I stay for the Winter Olympics Italy 2026?

Stay close to the venues you’ll visit most. For ice sports and ceremonies, MEININGER Milano Lambrate and MEININGER Milano Garibaldi offer modern, budget-friendly rooms with fast metro connections. If you’re heading toward Cortina or the Dolomites, MEININGER Venezia Mestre is a smart, well-connected base.

What sustainable initiatives are part of Milano Cortina 2026?

Milano Cortina prioritizes sustainability through reused venues, temporary structures, renewable energy, food redistribution, and eco-conscious Olympic Villages that become local housing after the Games. Sustainability matters to us, too—MEININGER Hotels follow long-term, responsible practices, making your stay both comfortable and conscious.

What should I include in my Winter Olympics Italy travel plan?

Book accommodation early, secure your tickets as soon as registration opens, choose one or two home bases, and rely on trains or shuttles. Make time for cultural stops like Milan’s Duomo or Venice’s canals, and always double-check the official competition schedule before events.

Is Milano Cortina 2026 a good trip for families, groups, or budget travelers?

Absolutely. The Winter Olympics Italy edition spreads across stunning regions with plenty of things to see beyond sports. MEININGER Hotels offer multi-bedded rooms, guest kitchens, laundry facilities, and central locations—perfect for families, school trips, big friend groups, backpackers, and anyone who wants comfort without overspending.

Your guide to the Winter Olympics in Italy 2026

Milano Cortina 2026: Where to go, what to see & where to stay

There’s a special kind of buzz in the air when a country gets ready to host the Winter Games and Italy is gearing up for something big. From February 6-22, 2026, the Winter Olympics Italy edition brings the world to two iconic locations: Milan, Italy’s fashion-forward metropolis, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the queen of the Dolomites. Together, they’ll host Milano Cortina 2026, the first Winter Olympics ever shared between two cities so far apart: around 400 km of landscapes, culture, and pure winter magic.

Winter olympics Italy: Bobsleigh team in blue suits pushing off on an icy track during a winter race — Ready, set, slide! Bobsleigh teams will be flying down the tracks at the winter Olympics

_{If you’re planning your trip and want to check out the Winter Olympics schedule this guide has your back, MEININGER style}
🇮🇹 ❄️ 🎿

⭐ Why Milano Cortina 2026 is different

A lot is happening behind the scenes to make this edition stand out.

Two host cities = double the Olympic buzz

Milan will host the Opening Ceremony at San Siro, figure skating, short-track, ice hockey, and speed skating. Meanwhile, Cortina d’Ampezzo brings the charm of the Dolomites with women’s alpine skiing plus bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.

Add in Valtellina, Trentino, Bormio, Livigno, Val di Fiemme, and Antholz, each hosting different Winter Olympics sports, and you get a multi-city adventure unlike any other.

New Olympic sports + fresh formats

2026 introduces:

🎿 Ski mountaineering (its Olympic debut!)

⛷️ Dual moguls in freestyle skiing

👥 Team alpine combined

🏅 New women’s events like large hill ski jumping and luge doubles

🛷 Mixed relay skeleton and men’s ski jumping super-team

Winter olympics Italy: Skier climbing up snowy mountain for ski mountaineering in the Italian Alps — Ski mountaineering is making its Olympic debut in Milano Cortina 2026

♻️ Sustainability takes center stage

13 out of 14 venues are existing or temporary
Olympic Villages transform into eco-friendly neighborhoods after the Games
Renewable energy, reusable structures, and food redistribution programs

📅 Winter Olympics schedule

Want the highlights? Here’s your cheat sheet:

February 4: Curling preliminaries kick off in Cortina
February 6: Opening Ceremony at San Siro + celebrations in Cortina
February 7-10: Alpine downhill, ski mountaineering sprint debut, freestyle qualifiers
February 12: Ski mountaineering mixed relay debut
February 19: Huge day: figure skating finals (women), skeleton mixed relay, men’s large hill
February 22: Cross-country mass start + Closing Ceremony in Verona

Tip: Always double-check official times closer to the Games because they’re subject to change.

🏟️ Winter Olympics venues: where each sport happens

Here’s a quick, traveler-friendly breakdown of where to go and why you’ll love it.

Milan (Lombardy)

Sports: figure skating, short-track, ice hockey, speed skating

Milan is one of the main Olympic hubs. It’s also home to the MEININGER Hotel Milano Garibaldi and MEININGER Hotel Milano Lambrate. Both are great options if you want to stay central, comfortable, and close to the action.

Cortina d’Ampezzo (Veneto)

Sports: Women’s alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, luge, curling

Set in the heart of the Dolomites, Cortina is all about mountain charm. Planning a visit? Base yourself at the MEININGER Hotel Venezia Mestre. It’s a smart, budget-friendly spot with easy connections to the Olympic buzz.

Winter olympics Italy: Snowy village of Cortina d’Ampezzo with alpine houses and mountain views — Cortina d’Ampezzo’s snowy slopes will host key Winter Olympics events in 2026

Bormio (Valtellina)

Sports: Men’s downhill, super-G, ski mountaineering

Travel tip: It’s around 200 km from Milan. Either stay in Milan and wake up early or book nearby accommodation.

Livigno & Val di Fiemme

Sports in Livigno: freestyle skiing + snowboarding

Sports in Val di Fiemme: ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country

Antholz / Anterselva (South Tyrol)

Sports: Biathlon

Verona

Closing Ceremony: Nothing beats finishing your Olympic adventure inside a Roman amphitheater.

🎫 How to get your Winter Olympics tickets

Buying tickets is simpler than it seems. Here’s what to know:

Only available through the official Milano Cortina site
Registration opens February 2025
Prices start around €50

Limits:

4 tickets for ceremonies
10 tickets per sport session
Max 25 tickets total

High-demand events (figure skating, alpine skiing) will sell out quickly—Cortina spectator caps make tickets even more competitive.

🚆 Getting around Italy during the Games

Italy is easy to navigate, but distances between venues matter. Milan ↔ Cortina = 400 km (about six hours by public transport). We recommend splitting your trip instead of commuting daily. Cortina restricts private vehicles → shuttle buses mandatory.

MEININGER tip: Choose one main base depending on your sports wishlist and add a second city for finals or ceremonies.

🧳 Your Milano Cortina 2026 game plan

🏨 Book accommodation early

🗺️ Choose your base wisely

🚆 Use trains & shuttles

🏔️ Combine sports with sightseeing

✨ Summin’ up…

The Winter Olympics Italy / Milano Cortina 2026 Games aren’t just about watching world-class athletes fly, glide, and sprint across snow and ice. They’re about exploring some of Italy’s most beautiful regions, from Milan’s modern pulse to Cortina d’Ampezzo’s fairytale landscapes.

Whether you’re a backpacker chasing multiple events, a family planning a winter holiday, or a group heading to Italy for the sporting trip of a lifetime, MEININGER Hotels in Milan and Venezia Mestre are your perfect base for comfort, flexibility, and unbeatable connectivity.

Ready to plan your Olympic adventure? Italy’s winter wonderland is waiting. ❄️🇮🇹