The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are officially underway. From February 6 to 22, Italy stands at the centre of the sporting world with 16 days of competition spread across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Bormio, Val di Fiemme, Anterselva and Verona. This is the third time Italy has hosted the Winter Games, following Cortina 1956 and Turin 2006.
The Olympic venues: a distributed model
Unlike previous editions, Milan-Cortina 2026 is a “distributed” Olympics: competitions take place in locations spread across a vast territory, from the Po Valley to Alpine peaks. This approach makes the most of existing infrastructure and promotes tourism across multiple regions.
Milan: the urban heart of the Games
The opening ceremony took place at San Siro Stadium, transformed into a spectacular arena for the occasion. Milan hosts events in:
- Figure skating and short track at the Assago Forum
- Ice hockey at PalaSharp and the Forum
The city also features the Olympic Village at the former Porta Romana railway yard, where most athletes are housed.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: the Queen of the Dolomites
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the alpine heart of the Games. Events here include:
- Alpine skiing (giant slalom, super-G) at the Tofane slopes
- Bobsled, skeleton and luge at the Cortina Sliding Centre (Eugenio Monti)
- Curling at the Cortina Olympic Stadium
Cortina’s Olympic tradition dates back to 1956, and the resort has invested heavily in renewing its infrastructure.
Bormio: the most spectacular downhill
The legendary Stelvio piste at Bormio hosts:
- Men’s and women’s downhill
- Super-G and alpine combined
With a starting elevation of 3,012 metres and gradients up to 63%, the Stelvio is considered one of the most technical and demanding runs on the World Cup circuit. Read more in our dedicated article on the Stelvio piste.
Livigno: freestyle and snowboard
Livigno, the “Little Tibet” of the Alps, hosts the most spectacular disciplines:
- Freestyle skiing (moguls, aerials, halfpipe, slopestyle, ski cross)
- Snowboard (halfpipe, slopestyle, cross, big air)
The new Livigno Snow Park was built specifically for the Games, featuring state-of-the-art facilities. Livigno’s duty-free status adds an appealing dimension for visitors.
Val di Fiemme and Anterselva
Val di Fiemme in Trentino hosts cross-country skiing and ski jumping at the Lago di Tesero stadium, while Anterselva in South Tyrol, with its arena at 1,600 metres, is the venue for biathlon.
Verona: the closing ceremony
The closing ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Arena di Verona, the celebrated Roman amphitheatre, in a setting that uniquely blends sport with millennia of culture.
Schedule of key disciplines
The competition programme covers all 16 days. Key dates for the most-watched disciplines:
Alpine skiing (Cortina and Bormio)
| Date | Discipline | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 9 February | Men’s downhill | Bormio - Stelvio |
| 10 February | Women’s super-G | Cortina - Tofane |
| 12 February | Men’s giant slalom | Cortina - Tofane |
| 14 February | Women’s downhill | Bormio - Stelvio |
| 16 February | Women’s slalom | Cortina - Tofane |
| 19 February | Alpine combined | Bormio |
| 22 February | Team event | Cortina |
Freestyle and snowboard (Livigno)
Freestyle and snowboard events are concentrated between February 7 and 21 at the Livigno Snow Park, with qualifying sessions and finals scheduled predominantly in the afternoon.
Biathlon (Anterselva)
The Anterselva arena, at 1,600 metres altitude, hosts all biathlon events from February 8 to 20, including relay races and individual events.
How to reach the Olympic venues
By train
The Valtellina rail network has been completely renewed with an investment of 38.9 million euros. The stations at Colico, Morbegno, Sondrio, Lecco and Tirano have all been modernised. For Cortina, the fastest connection is via Calalzo di Cadore with a dedicated bus service.
By car
The main road routes are:
- Milan to Bormio: A4 motorway + SS38 Stelvio road (approximately 3 hours)
- Milan to Livigno: via Bernina Pass or Munt la Schera Tunnel (approximately 3.5 hours)
- Venice to Cortina: A27 + SS51 di Alemagna (approximately 2 hours)
- Verona to Val di Fiemme: A22 Brenner motorway, exit Egna-Ora (approximately 1.5 hours)
Olympic shuttle services
During the Games, dedicated shuttle services run between major railway stations and competition venues. Shuttle tickets are included in event packages or available for separate purchase.
Infrastructure investment
The Olympics have brought significant investment:
- 38.9 million euros for Valtellina railway renewal
- Cortina Sliding Centre: over 100 million euros for the new bobsled track
- Livigno Snow Park: purpose-built facility
- Road network: improvements across numerous connecting routes
Not all planned works were completed on time. As of January 22, 2026, approximately 40 of 98 projects had been finished, with many road and rail interventions scheduled for completion after the Games. However, all essential sports facilities are operational.
Practical advice for visitors
Tickets and access
Tickets for individual competition sessions are available at the official site olympics.com. Prices vary significantly: from curling sessions (from 30 euros) to alpine ski finals (up to 250 euros).
Where to stay
Olympic venues are in peak season, so early booking is essential. More affordable alternatives can be found in surrounding valleys:
- For Cortina: Cadore, Auronzo, San Vito di Cadore
- For Bormio: Valdidentro, Santa Caterina Valfurva
- For Livigno: Trepalle, Isolaccia
- For Anterselva: Rasun, Brunico
Not to be missed
Beyond the competitions, the surrounding ski areas are well worth exploring. While in the area you can ski on spectacular slopes:
- From Bormio: Passo Tonale is one hour by car
- From Cortina: Arabba-Marmolada for skiing towards the Sellaronda
- From Livigno: the resort itself offers 115 km of spectacular pistes
The Olympic legacy
These Games leave an important legacy for Italian skiing: new infrastructure, international visibility and a “distributed Olympics” model that could set a precedent. The resorts involved will enjoy long-term benefits in terms of tourism and facility quality.
For all updates on Olympic venues, check our resort pages with live webcams and updated weather forecasts.
Where to Stay
To plan your mountain stay, consult our complete guide to hotels and accommodation at Italian ski resorts. You will find detailed guides for every destination with prices, best areas and practical tips for a ski holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics take place?
The Winter Olympic Games run from February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 6 to 15, 2026.
Where will the opening ceremony be held?
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics will be held at San Siro Stadium in Milan on February 6, 2026.
Which cities host the events?
The main venues are Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bormio, Livigno, Anterselva and Val di Fiemme.
Can visitors ski at the resorts during the Olympics?
Yes, the majority of resorts will remain open to the public, with the exception of the specific competition pistes and some technical areas. Early booking is strongly recommended.