The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to take place in Italy, with significant events scheduled across various locations. Key infrastructures, like a new hockey arena in Milan and a bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo, are completed to host the Games.
Key Insights on the 2026 Olympics in Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo, known for its winter sports, will host the Olympics for the second time. The previous Olympic Games held there were in 1956. The official opening ceremony will occur on February 6 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, commonly called San Siro, which accommodates 75,000 spectators. Yet, competitions will begin two days earlier, featuring curling.
Participation and Events
Approximately 2,900 athletes from over 90 countries will vie for 116 sets of Olympic medals. Notably, 47% of the competitors are women. Germany will send a record 188 athletes to participate.
- New Sport: Ski-alpinism will debut at the Winter Olympics.
- Locale Distribution: Events will unfold across multiple venues:
- Milan will host hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and short track.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo will feature women’s alpine skiing, luge, bobsleigh, skeleton, and curling.
- Antholz will host biathlon, and Val di Fiemme will feature ski jumping, Nordic combined, and cross-country skiing.
- Livigno will be the venue for freestyle and snowboarding competitions.
- Bormio will showcase men’s alpine skiing and ski-alpinism.
The closing ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Arena di Verona, a historic Roman amphitheater with a seating capacity of over 12,000.
Participation of Russian and Belarusian Athletes
Russian and Belarusian athletes may participate under a neutral flag, contingent upon specific criteria. This includes having no ties to military services and public support for the conflict in Ukraine. The final decision regarding their participation rests with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
As of January 29, 13 athletes from Russia and seven from Belarus are set to compete. This allows for continued neutrality similar to the approach in the Paris 2024 Summer Games, allowing 15 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes as well.
Security Measures
Security for the Olympics will be overseen by local authorities working closely with participating delegations. Around 6,000 security personnel will ensure safety during the events, significantly fewer compared to the 50,000 security personnel for the Paris Olympics.
For VIP protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel will provide advisory support without engaging in aggressive actions.
Doping Control Protocol
Similar to previous Olympics, the International Testing Agency (ITA) will oversee doping controls. Initial tests began in October, and approximately 3,000 doping samples are planned for collection during the Games. Airports will conduct baggage checks for suspicious substances as part of this protocol.
Individual sports federations, including those for skiing and hockey, will manage their doping control independently from the ITA.
Ticket Sales and Budget Overview
Ticket sales have been promising, with more than half sold by November 2025. Prices range from €30 to €2,900 for the closing ceremony. Popular events like alpine skiing only have high-priced tickets or hospitality packages available.
The overall budget for the 2026 Olympics and subsequent Paralympics is around €1.6 billion. In comparison, the Beijing 2022 Olympics cost approximately $3.9 billion, though estimates suggest the actual expenses were over $8.7 billion.
The success of the Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will depend on various factors, including audience reception and financial outcomes.
