Northern Italy is hosting the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics across several regions, including Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and parts of the Alps. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo share hosting duties, combining world-class city facilities with iconic mountain landscapes.
Unlike recent Olympics with a single host city, Milan-Cortina 2026 has events spread over urban, alpine, and UNESCO World Heritage settings, offering visitors a combination of sport, culture, and scenery.
Milan Venues
San Siro Olympic Stadium
The Games kick off at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, one of Italy’s largest and most historic sports arenas, typically known for hosting AC Milan and Inter Milan football matches. This century-old venue will welcome tens of thousands of spectators for the Opening Ceremony.
Following tradition, the Closing Ceremony also takes place here, bringing together athletes and fans to celebrate the end of the Olympics.
Ice Sports: Figure Skating, Speed Skating, and Hockey
Milan hosts a cluster of indoor ice events:
- Milano Ice Skating Arena hosts figure skating and short track speed skating.
- The Milano Speed Skating Stadium brings high-speed competition to long-track speed skaters.
- Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is a new 14,000-seat venue designed for intense ice hockey matchups.
- The Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, a transformed exhibition center, adds flexibility and space for more hockey action.
Together, these venues make Milan a central hub for indoor Olympic sports.
Mountain and Alpine Sites
Cortina d’Ampezzo – Alpine Skiing and Sliding Sports
In the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo returns as a Winter Olympic host nearly 70 years after its 1956 Games. The Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre will host women’s alpine events on one of the sport’s most storied slopes.
The rebuilt Cortina Sliding Centre “Eugenio Monti” will feature bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton tracks meeting modern safety and competition standards.
Additionally, the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium brings curling back to a site from earlier Games but now updated for Olympic competition.
Biathlon and Nordic Events – Anterselva and Val di Fiemme
The Anterselva Biathlon Arena, slightly away from Cortina, nestled in Trentino-Alto Adige, offers a dramatic backdrop for biathlon competition.
Meanwhile, Val di Fiemme’s Predazzo and Tesero centers host ski jumping, cross-country skiing, para biathlon, and para cross-country racing, leveraging established Nordic sports infrastructure in the Dolomites.
Valtellina – Freestyle and Snowboarding
The Valtellina region will host men’s alpine skiing at the legendary Stelvio Ski Centre, known for its challenging downhill courses and ski mountaineering debut.
Nearby Livigno Snow Park and Aerials & Moguls Park bring freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and aerial action to high-altitude terrain prized by outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The Olympic Village and Legacy
The Milan Olympic Village was developed on the former Porta Romana rail yard. Designed with long-term community use in mind, it will transition into student housing and public space after the Games.
This emphasis on legacy builds on sustainable planning: many venues are refurbished or temporary, reducing environmental impact and boosting post-Olympic utility.
The historic Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater famed for opera and cultural events, will host the Olympic Closing Ceremony. This unique choice blends ancient heritage with modern sport, offering a memorable finale.
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