Hosting the Olympics is a tremendous honor. I would have liked to win them at home, rather than on the other side of the world. So it will certainly be a great privilege for the athletes, especially the Italian ones.
Marcell Jacobs, Olympic champion
The Winter Olympics are never just a series of sporting events: they are a huge mechanism that moves through time and space, involving cities, mountains, athletes, and spectators. Understanding when and where the Games take place is the first step to truly experiencing them, whether live or from afar.
When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start? How long do they last? And how are the Milan Cortina 2026 competitions distributed in time and space? If you are looking for clear and reliable answers about dates, the general schedule, and competition venues, this article is designed to help you find your way around.
The Winter Olympics are never just a series of sporting events: they are a huge mechanism that moves through time and space, involving cities, mountains, athletes, and spectators. Understanding when and where the Games take place is the first step to truly experiencing them, whether live or remotely.
Dates of the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will take place over 17 days, according to the following schedule:
- 🎭 Closing ceremony → February 22, 2026, Verona Arena
- 📅 2026 Winter Olympics: → February 6 to 22, 2026
- 🎉 Opening ceremony → February 6, 2026, San Siro Stadium (Milan)
During this period, competitions will be spread out continuously, with events taking place practically every day and in multiple locations simultaneously.
The schedule has been designed to ensure:
- A balanced distribution of events,
- a constant alternation between different disciplines,
- a crescendo of tension and excitement that will accompany the audience from the opening to the closing ceremonies.
Let's take a closer look.
When Do the Winter Olympic Games Start and End? ⏰
The official start of the 2026 Winter Olympics is set for Friday, February 6, 2026, the date of the opening ceremony1. Some competitions will begin in the days immediately preceding the opening. This is a common organizational choice for the Olympics, necessary to manage complex tournaments such as team events, which require several days of competition.
The official conclusion of the Olympics is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, with the awarding of the last medals and the closing ceremony. But it should be remembered that the show will continue until March, as the Olympics will be followed by the Paralympic Games!
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held on February 6, 2026, at the San Siro Stadium in Milan2.
The choice of San Siro, one of Europe's most iconic stadiums, underscores Milan's central role as the host city for the event.
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The closing ceremony, scheduled for February 22, 2026, will take place at the Verona Arena.
A venue that combines sport, culture, and history, chosen to represent the link between the Games and Italy's artistic heritage.
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How the Program Unfolds Over the Two Weeks
Without going into the technical details of each individual discipline, the program for the 2026 Winter Olympics can be read as a journey marked by clearly recognizable stages, useful for those who only want to follow certain moments of the Games.
February 4, 2026
Preliminary Stages
The first public pre-competition training sessions begin, particularly for curling, alpine skiing, and luge.
February 6, 2026
Opening Ceremony
Stadio San Siro, Milano
February 6-8, 2026
The First Few Days
Dedicated to the start of the games and the first medals. This is when media attention grows rapidly and the public begins to familiarize themselves with the venues, athletes, and disciplines.
February 9-15,2026
The Middle Phase of the Games
The middle part of the Olympics is the most intense. This is when most of the finals and medal events take place, with competitions often following one another without interruption. For many spectators, these days represent the heart of the Olympic experience: it is the ideal time to follow a variety of sports and witness the decisive moments.
February 16-21, 2026
The Final Days and Closure
This phase features the final decisive competitions, the finals of the longest tournaments, and the events that officially close the Olympic program.
February 22, 2026
Closing Ceremony
It will be held at the Arena in Verona
Where Will the 2026 Winter Olympics Be Held?
One of the most distinctive aspects of Milano Cortina 2026 is the geographical distribution of the venues. Here is a map created by our team showing the locations where the Olympic events will take place:
CANVA IMAGE
Three Italian regions are involved in organizing the Olympic events: Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige.
The competitions are not concentrated in a single city, but spread across a large area stretching from the plains to the Alps.
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo: The Main Hubs
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are the two main hubs of the Games:
- Milan is the large urban hub, hosting the ceremonies and many ice competitions.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo is the symbolic heart of the alpine disciplines, nestled in the Dolomites3.
This dual centrality allows for a combination of modern infrastructure and mountain landscapes, making for a more varied Olympic experience.
Alpine Locations in Detail🏔️
Alongside the main hubs, several Alpine locations will host Olympic competitions, each with its own sporting identiy.
Bormio is one of the historic capitals of alpine skiing. Its slopes, which have already hosted international competitions, will be the venue for some of the most spectacular events of the Games. These competitions will mainly take place during the middle of the Olympics.
Anterselva will host the biathlon, a discipline that combines physical endurance and precision.
The schedule includes several consecutive days of competition, making Anterselva one of the busiest venues during the Olympics.
Livigno will host the most dynamic and modern disciplines, such as snowboarding and freestyle.
The competitions here are spread over several days, with separate qualifiers and finals, making the resort particularly lively for an extended period.
Val di Fiemme is one of the world's most important locations for Nordic skiing. Cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined competitions will take place here over several days.
How to Navigate Dates and Venues
For those who want to follow the 2026 Winter Olympics live, cross-referencing dates and locations is essential.
Some practical examples:
- Those interested in indoor competitions can stay in Milan for several consecutive days
- Those following alpine skiing can organize their stay between Cortina and Bormio;
- Some alpine resorts host competitions over several days, reducing the need for constant travel.
However, it is important to organize yourself in advance and make a plan before the Games begin, so that you can optimize your travel and avoid unnecessary expenses.
How to Reach the Olympic Venues 🚆🚗
One of the strengths of Milano Cortina 2026 is accessibility. The main venues are connected by an existing transport network, which will be further enhanced during the Games.
Milan will be the main access hub:
- Easily accessible by high-speed train
- Served by several international airports,
- Equipped with an extensive public transport network
For alpine locations, various solutions are planned:
- Dedicated buses and shuttles to the competition venues
- Increased services on the busiest days.
- Rail connections to the main towns in the valley
💡 Practical tip: if you are following several mountain events, it is often more convenient to choose a single base location (e.g., Cortina, Bormio, or Val di Fiemme) and avoid daily travel between different valleys, especially in case of snow.
Where to Stay During the Olympics 🏨
Choosing accommodation is one of the most delicate aspects of an event such as the Winter Olympics. There are many options, but they should be evaluated based on the competitions you want to follow.
Milan
- Wide availability of hotels in every category
- Wide range of apartments and short-term rentals
- Quick connections to urban competition venues
In Alpine Locations
- Hotels and residences often close to the competition venues
- Facilities accustomed to major sporting events
- Possibility of weekly stays or dedicated packages
In the Surrounding Areas
- Often more economical solutions
- Daily connections to the Olympic venues
- A good alternative for those traveling in groups or with their families
Experiencing the Games: What to Expect on Site ❄️
During the Winter Olympics, the venues will not only be competition sites, but also true entertainment hubs. The following are planned in cities and alpine resorts:
- Public spaces with giant screens
- Side events and cultural initiatives
- Areas dedicated to fans and families
💡 Practical tip: even without a ticket, many cities will offer free or affordable Olympic experiences, ideal for soaking up the atmosphere of the Games.
Traveling Between Multiple Venues: Yes or No? 🧭
One of the most common questions concerns the possibility of following competitions in different locations.
In general:
✔️ Yes
If you stay for several days and plan your trips well
❌ No
If you only have a few days and risk spending more time traveling than at the races
It is better to choose one main area and build your Olympic experience around that, rather than trying to “see everything.”
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will come to life between dates to mark in your calendar and iconic locations, spread between cities and mountains. An event that moves through time and space, offering many opportunities to experience the sport live or from home.
Now that the calendar and venues are clearer, all that remains is to wait for the competitions to begin: amid snow, ice, and major events, the countdown to February 6, 2026, which will kick off this new chapter in the history of the Olympic Games, can officially begin. ❄️🏅
Sources
- Olympic Schedule | Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics - February 6 to 22 2026, www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/overview. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
- Olympic Opening Ceremony - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/ceremonies/the-olympic-opening-ceremony. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
- Cortina Marketing. Milano Cortina 2026. Cortina.dolomiti.org, https://cortina.dolomiti.org/it/inverno/milano-cortina-2026/
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