05 February 2025 – In just one year, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will unite the world in Italy, with Milan’s vibrant cosmopolitan energy meeting the timeless grandeur of the Dolomites. Hosting the Olympic Winter Games for the third time – after Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 and Turin 2006 – Italy will once again showcase its rich sporting heritage, culture and innovative spirit on a global stage.
Milano Cortina 2026 will be the first Olympic Winter Games planned and organised under Olympic Agenda 2020, from candidature to delivery. This is the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s strategic roadmap, which lays out the Games’ commitment to adapt to the economic, social and environmental needs of its hosts, and to create long-term benefits for their residents.
Milano Cortina 2026 will be the first Olympic Winter Games spread across multiple regions and to bear the names of two cities: Milan and Cortina. The events will take place in Lombardy and Veneto, as well as the autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, bringing together areas long celebrated for their winter sports expertise, event delivery and world-class infrastructure. This approach allows the maximum use of existing venues, reducing the need for new construction and, as a consequence, minimising the carbon footprint.
“As per the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020, Milano Cortina 2026 is adapting to the host regions, and not the other way around,” said Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability.
The Games are capitalising on existing infrastructure and local winter sports expertise, aiming to create lasting socio-economic benefits for the local population. We hope the Games help boost the local economy and inspire more people across Italy and beyond to enjoy winter sports, adding to the already rich winter sport legacy of the region. Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability
Both cities – as well as all host territories – have a strong tradition of hosting major events. Milan, home to legendary football clubs AC Milan (Associazione Calcio Milan) and Inter Milan (FC Internazionale Milano), has proven its capacity to organise high-profile international events competitions. Meanwhile, Cortina d’Ampezzo, nestled in the Dolomites, has cemented its reputation as a premier winter sports destination, having hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1956 and the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and acts as an annual fixture on the Women’s Ski World Cup circuit.
Organisers promise to put the new “Italian Spirit” at the forefront, blending tradition with innovation. The Opening Ceremony at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium will set the stage for this fusion of sport and culture, while the Closing Ceremony in Verona’s historic Arena – renowned for its world-class opera performances – will celebrate Italy’s artistic heritage, reinforcing the Olympic values through storytelling, music and performance.
The legendary Tofane Olympia slope in Cortina, famous for its steep gradients, high-speed descents and technical turns, will once again host women’s Alpine skiing, continuing its legacy from the Olympic Winter Games Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956. The Olympic Ice Stadium in Cortina, which in 1956 hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as men’s ice hockey and figure skating competitions, will now be the home of curling, proving that these Games are about revitalising history rather than reinventing it.
Sustainability initiatives
Organisers have committed to reducing the Games’ footprint through a variety of initiatives, including:
- 100% renewable energy – All competition venues will be powered by certified renewable sources, setting a new benchmark for event planning in the region.
- Using existing infrastructure – 11 out of 13 venues used for the Games will be existing or temporary.
- Circular economy – The event’s infrastructure will prioritise reusable, rented and recycled materials, significantly reducing waste production. The Games’ organisers are planning to recycle 80 per cent of event packaging, while surplus food will be redistributed through local charities.
- Water footprint measurement – For the first time in the history of the Olympic Winter Games, the water footprint of the event will be measured and monitored to minimise consumption.
Education, inclusion and regional development
Organisers have also ensured that the legacy of Milano Cortina 2026 extends beyond sport, with lasting benefits for education, inclusion and regional development.
Milano Cortina 2026 is unique in its ability to bridge the divide between urban and mountainous regions, ensuring a balanced distribution of benefits and contributing to the long-term development of the region. The Games’ aim is to boost the local mountain areas, increasing their capacity to host events and attract visitors year-round.
Through the Impact 2026 procurement initiative, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mountain regions have secured priority contracts, strengthening the local economy. Some 227 companies are now enrolled through Impact 2026, across sectors such as printing, hospitality and catering.
The GEN26 Education Programme, already reaching close to one million students, brings Olympic and Paralympic values into schools, supporting future generations of athletes, leaders and sustainability champions.
Milano Cortina 2026 has set three ambitions on the education side for the young people of tomorrow: disseminating the Olympic and Paralympic values; promoting the importance of daily physical activity for young people; and sharing sports sector expertise with young professionals of tomorrow.
The Cultural Olympiad, a multidisciplinary and widespread programme to promote the Olympic and Paralympic values through culture, heritage and sport, engaged over one million people in 2024 thanks to the active participation of stakeholders such as the Lombardy Region.
Partnering with the Italian Paralympic Committee, the Adaptive Winter Sport Programme is making winter sports more accessible for people with disabilities, introducing adaptive skiing and ice hockey programmes.
Italia dei Giochi, an initiative ensuring that the Olympic and Paralympic spirit reaches communities across Italy, aims to engage over five million participants in local sporting events leading up to 2026.
Gender Equality
Milano Cortina 2026 will be the most gender-balanced Winter Games in history, with 47 per cent of quota places distributed to female athletes – the highest ever for an Olympic Winter Games. Fifty out of 116 events will be dedicated to women, with key additions like the women’s large hill ski jumping event.
“As the countdown to Milano Cortina 2026 continues, the Games stand as more than just a celebration of sport,” said Marie Sallois. “They are a reflection of Italy’s ability to balance rich heritage with cutting-edge progress.”
