The 2026 Winter Olympics: A Complete Guide to the Milano Cortina Games
Italy’s Historic Third Time Hosting the Winter Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics mark a significant milestone for Italy as the nation prepares to host the Winter Games for the third time in its history. This achievement places Italy among an elite group of countries with extensive Olympic hosting experience. The country’s Olympic journey began in 1956 when the picturesque mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo first welcomed winter athletes from around the globe. Fifty years later, in 2006, the industrial city of Turin showcased Italy’s ability to blend modern infrastructure with Olympic tradition. Italy has also hosted the Summer Olympics once, welcoming the world to Rome in 1960. Now, in an unprecedented move, Italy is breaking new ground by becoming the first nation to co-host a Winter Olympics across two cities simultaneously. Milan, Italy’s fashion and finance capital, will share hosting duties with the scenic alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, creating a unique blend of urban sophistication and mountain charm. This dual-city approach represents a bold experiment in Olympic hosting that could reshape how future Games are organized, emphasizing sustainability and the use of existing infrastructure over costly new construction.
The Most Geographically Spread Out Olympics in History
The 2026 Winter Olympics will quite literally spread across the map, becoming the most geographically dispersed Olympic Games ever held. The competitions will take place across an impressive 8,494 square miles of northern Italy, with 13 different venues scattered between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. To put this in perspective, the two host cities are separated by approximately 250 miles of road, requiring nearly a five-hour drive to travel between them. This vast geographical footprint might seem counterintuitive in an era focused on sustainability, but the International Olympic Committee emphasizes that this approach actually serves environmental goals. According to the IOC, spreading the Games across existing facilities in two cities “allows the maximum use of existing venues, reducing the need for new construction and, as a consequence, minimising the carbon footprint.” Of the 13 venues being used, 11 are either existing facilities or temporary structures, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable Olympic hosting. Only two major construction projects are underway: a new 16,000-seat ice hockey stadium that has been under construction for approximately two years, and the renovation of Milan’s abandoned Porta Romana railway yard. This railway yard transformation exemplifies thoughtful Olympic planning, as it will serve as the Milan Olympic Village during the Games before being converted into 1,700 student housing units, ensuring the infrastructure serves the community long after the Olympic torch has been extinguished.
Global Participation Despite International Tensions
The 2026 Winter Olympics will welcome athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees, representing a truly global gathering of winter sports talent. It’s important to note that athletes compete as representatives of their National Olympic Committees rather than as countries, a distinction that becomes particularly significant in times of international conflict. The ongoing geopolitical situation continues to impact Olympic participation, with Russia and Belarus banned from competing under their national flags due to the war in Ukraine. This policy, which was implemented at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, carries forward into the Milano Cortina Games. Athletes from these nations who qualify and meet specific criteria may compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” under a neutral flag, allowing them to participate in the Olympic spirit while maintaining the international community’s stance on the conflict. This delicate balance between sporting inclusivity and political accountability demonstrates the complex role the Olympics play on the world stage. The Games have always aspired to rise above politics and bring people together through sport, yet they inevitably reflect the realities of our interconnected world. Despite these challenges, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise to showcase the finest winter athletes from nearly every corner of the globe, all competing for the honor of standing atop the Olympic podium.
Record-Breaking Athlete Participation and Team USA’s Largest Winter Delegation
The Milano Cortina Games expect to welcome approximately 2,916 athletes, continuing the upward trend in Winter Olympic participation that has characterized recent decades. To appreciate this growth, consider that the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, hosted just 1,801 athletes—meaning participation has increased by more than 60% over the past three decades. This expansion reflects the growing global interest in winter sports and increased accessibility to training and competition opportunities worldwide. The United States will field the largest contingent at these Games, with an impressive 235 athletes (including three alternates) ready to compete. This 232-athlete roster represents the largest U.S. Winter Olympic team in history, surpassing the previous record of 228 athletes who competed in PyeongChang in 2018. Canada follows with 211 athletes, while host nation Italy will be represented by 195 competitors who will enjoy the tremendous advantage of competing on home snow and ice. Team USA’s delegation is particularly noteworthy for its blend of experience and fresh talent. The team includes 98 returning Olympians who have collectively won 22 gold medals, bringing invaluable experience to the competition. Seven remarkable athletes will be making their fifth Olympic appearance, including bobsledding legends Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, snowboarding veterans Nick Baumgartner and Faye Thelen, the iconic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, figure skating star Evan Bates, and ice hockey standout Hilary Knight. Meanwhile, 32 athletes on the roster previously competed at the Youth Olympic Games, with 20 of them preparing to make their Olympic debut in Italy, ensuring the continuity of American winter sports excellence for years to come.
New Sports and Events Expanding the Olympic Program
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature 116 events across 16 Olympic disciplines and six Paralympic sports, with several exciting additions to the program that reflect the evolution of winter sports. The most significant addition is ski mountaineering—commonly known as “skimo”—which will make its Olympic debut as an entirely new sport. This demanding discipline combines uphill skiing with alpine descents, testing athletes’ endurance, technical skiing ability, and mountain navigation skills. Skimo will include three events: men’s sprint, women’s sprint, and a mixed relay, providing multiple opportunities for medals in this exciting new addition. Beyond ski mountaineering, the Games will introduce five additional new events that expand opportunities for athletes across established disciplines. Freestyle skiing will add men’s and women’s dual moguls, creating head-to-head competition that promises to be spectator-friendly and thrilling. Luge will introduce women’s doubles for the first time, addressing a long-standing gender disparity in the sport. Skeleton will feature a mixed gender team event, continuing the Olympics’ trend toward mixed-gender competitions that showcase both men and women competing together. Finally, women’s ski jumping will add a large hill event, further expanding opportunities in a discipline where women have historically had fewer events than their male counterparts. These additions reflect the Olympic movement’s ongoing commitment to gender equality, athlete safety, and keeping the Games relevant by incorporating sports that resonate with younger audiences and reflect how winter sports are actually practiced around the world.
The Fan Experience and What to Expect
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are expected to draw approximately 2 million fans to northern Italy, creating one of the largest gatherings for a Winter Games in recent memory. U.S. diplomatic officials have urged American travelers to plan and book accommodations early, anticipating that the influx of visitors will strain available lodging in the region. The dual-city format means spectators will have the unique opportunity to experience two distinctly different Italian settings—Milan’s cosmopolitan urban environment with its world-renowned cuisine, fashion, and culture, contrasted with Cortina d’Ampezzo’s breathtaking alpine scenery and mountain village charm. Ticket prices reflect the range of events and venues, making the Olympics accessible to various budgets. Fans can attend cross-country skiing events for as little as $30, while premium experiences like the figure skating exhibition gala command prices approaching $1,400. This pricing structure ensures that dedicated fans can experience the Olympic atmosphere even on modest budgets, while also offering premium experiences for those seeking the most prestigious events. The geographic spread of venues means that attending multiple events may require significant travel, so fans should carefully plan their Olympic experience, considering both the events they want to see and the logistics of moving between Milan and Cortina. For those unable to attend in person, comprehensive broadcast coverage will bring every moment of competition to global audiences. As the Games approach, attention will also turn to the Paralympic Games, with qualified athletes to be announced on March 2, ensuring that the celebration of athletic excellence extends to showcasing the remarkable achievements of para-athletes who compete with the same dedication, skill, and Olympic spirit as their Olympic counterparts.
