The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to be hosted in Italy, marking the third time the country has organized this monumental event. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will serve as the primary venues for these Games, which will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
Schedule of Events
Approximately 2,900 athletes will gather to compete in 116 events across 8 sports and 16 disciplines. Key dates include:
- Opening Ceremony: February 6, 2026, at 20:00 (local time) across four locations: San Siro Stadium in Milan, Livigno, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Predazzo.
- Closing Ceremony: February 20, 2026, in the Arena of Verona.
French Athletes Participation
The French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) announced 73 qualified athletes on December 23, 2023. This preliminary list will likely expand to approximately 160 to 165 athletes by January 25, 2026.
New Sports and Events
This edition of the Winter Olympics will feature eight new events, enhancing the competition lineup. Notable additions include:
- Alpine Skiing: The combined event will replace the mixed team slalom.
- Ski-Alpinism: Includes women’s and men’s sprint events as well as a mixed relay.
- Mixed Team Events: New formats in skeleton and luge.
- Freestyle Skiing: Parallel mogul skiing events have been added.
Broadcasting Information
The Games will be broadcast by France Télévisions and Eurosport, providing extensive coverage for viewers. Live updates will also be available on El-Balad.
Venues for the 2026 Winter Olympics
This Winter Olympics will span across two cities, Milan and Cortina, and will utilize existing and temporary venues. Key locations include:
- Livigno: Hosting events for snowboarding and freestyle skiing.
- Bormio: Known for challenging alpine ski events.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Will host women’s alpine skiing and curling competitions.
- Milan: The hub for ice sports, including figure skating at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Ticket Information
As of October, organizers reported that 850,000 tickets out of 1.4 million had already been sold. Remaining tickets will be available starting April 8, 2025, on the official Olympics website, following a first-come, first-served basis.
As the excitement builds for this prestigious international event, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina promise a showcase of global athletic talent and memorable moments.
