2026 Winter Olympics

{{Main|Bids for the 2026 Winter Olympics}}

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo were selected as the host cities on 24 June 2019 at the 134th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. The three Italian IOC members, Franco Carraro, Ivo Ferriani and Giovanni Malagò, and two Swedish IOC members, Gunilla Lindberg and Stefan Holm, were ineligible to vote as stated in the Olympic Charter.{{cite web |date=20 September 2018 |title=Lausanne To Host Vote For Winning 2026 Winter Olympic Bid Instead of Milan After Italy Enters Race |url=https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/2026-olympic-bid-news/lausanne-to-host-vote-for-winning-2026-winter-olympic-bid-instead-of-milan-after-italy-enters-race/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424084754/https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/2026-olympic-bid-news/lausanne-to-host-vote-for-winning-2026-winter-olympic-bid-instead-of-milan-after-italy-enters-race/ |archive-date=24 April 2020 |access-date=21 September 2018 |publisher=GamesBids}}{{cite web |date=9 October 2018 |title=IOC To Move Up 2026 Olympic Bid Vote Three Months, Now June 2019 |url=https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/2026-olympic-bid-news/ioc-to-move-up-2026-olympic-bid-vote-three-months-now-june-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424084759/https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/2026-olympic-bid-news/ioc-to-move-up-2026-olympic-bid-vote-three-months-now-june-2019/ |archive-date=24 April 2020 |access-date=9 October 2018 |publisher=GamesBids}}{{cite web |date=24 June 2019 |title=Winter Olympics: Italy's Milan-Cortina bid chosen as host for the 2026 Games |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/48748380 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910190954/https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/48748380 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |access-date=24 June 2019 |publisher=BBC}}

During the bid process, the bidding committee proposed that the speed skating events could be held at the existing Ice Rink Piné in Baselga di Piné. However, despite the infrastructure being ready, it required a roof which impact and cost studies indicated would be costly, potentially breaking the budget. So instead, the Committee deliberated over three choices: building an ice rink in the pavilions of Fiera Milano (in a possibility to be permanent or temporary), options that would require significant structural work, or move the events to the Oval Lingotto in the city of Turin which required no structural changes. The venue was constructed to host the speed skating during the 2006 Winter Olympics and after the games, hosted a variety of events such as exhibitions, fairs and conferences. The venue was also hosted the same sport in 2007 Winter Universiade. In April 2023, it was estimated that the temporary ice rink in Fiera Milano would cost nearly €20 million, which would be paid for with private funds. The proposal to use Turin's Oval Lingotto received opposition from Milan-area officials, as Turin was part of the initial stages of the project, but latter withdrawn. One of the spokespersons to reject this proposal was the Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala and officials from the host regions of Lombardy and Veneto.{{cite web |title=Bach to meet Italian PM as Milan Cortina 2026 speed skating venue due to be ratified |date=14 April 2023 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1135916/bach-to-meet-italian-pm-meloni |work=Inside the Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417120036/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1135916/bach-to-meet-italian-pm-meloni |archive-date=17 April 2023 |url-status=live}} Fiera Milano was confirmed as the speed skating venue on 19 April 2023.{{cite news|last=Rowbottom|first=MIke|date=19 April 2023|title=Milan The Unanimous Choice for Speed Skating at 2026 Winter Olympics|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1136100/milan-cortina-2026-speed-skating-venue|website=Inside the Games|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419141002/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1136100/milan-cortina-2026-speed-skating-venue |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Ridley|first=Bob|date=19 April 2023|title=Fiera Milano Rho To Be New Home for Speed Skating at 2026 Winter Olympics|url=https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2023/04/19/fiera-milano-rho-to-be-new-home-for-speed-skating-at-2026-winter-olympics/|website=The Stadium Business|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419154442/https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2023/04/19/fiera-milano-rho-to-be-new-home-for-speed-skating-at-2026-winter-olympics/ |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}}

During the bidding process, the joint Committee proposed to restore the Eugenio Monti olympic track in Cortina, to be relaunched as a federal centre also for sledding and skeleton.{{cite news|author=Barbara Ungaro|title=Olimpiadi 2026: Cortina punta anche la rilancio della pista da bob|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/TGR/media/ven-Cortina-Olimpiadi-2026-Pista-bob-2ced6e2e-74c0-474a-85c4-1062a898ec0f.html|website=Rai TGR|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127210236/http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/TGR/media/ven-Cortina-Olimpiadi-2026-Pista-bob-2ced6e2e-74c0-474a-85c4-1062a898ec0f.html |archive-date=27 January 2019 |url-status=live}} The minimum cost of restoring the closed track was initially estimated at €14 million, while in the official Milan-Cortina bid dossier the cost indicated was €100 million (similar budget needed to build the Cesana Pariol track used at the 2006 Winter Olympics).{{cite news|author=Jacopo Ricca|date=26 August 2018|title=A Cortina è vecchia e da rifare la pista da bob scelta dal Coni contro Cesana|url=https://torino.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/08/26/news/a_cortina_e_vecchia_e_da_rifare_la_pista_da_bob_scelta_dal_coni_contro_cesana-204951349/|website=Repubblica|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826101259/https://torino.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/08/26/news/a_cortina_e_vecchia_e_da_rifare_la_pista_da_bob_scelta_dal_coni_contro_cesana-204951349/ |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live}} After initially forecasting an expenditure of €40-50 million, the Veneto Region allocated funding up to €85 million to build the new Olympic venues. An annual expenditure of €400,000 was also planned for the management of the facility, which would be open four months a year, to be settled through the establishment of €8 million fund.{{cite web|author=Alessandra Segafredo|date=10 August 2021|title=Ristruttrazione pista Eugenio Monti: il Bob Club Cortina fa chiarezza|url=https://www.radiocortina.com/2021/08/10/ristrutturazione-pista-eugenio-monti-il-bob-club-cortina-fa-chiarezza/|website=Radio Cortina|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914205634/https://www.radiocortina.com/2021/08/10/ristrutturazione-pista-eugenio-monti-il-bob-club-cortina-fa-chiarezza/ |archive-date=14 September 2021 |url-status=live}}

Due to the rising cost of construction materials, the Veneto region president Luca Zaia turned public in February 2023 that the restoring cost for the Eugenio Monti track could be upwards of €120 million.{{cite news|date=2023-02-06|title=Milano-Cortina, Zaia: pista bob costerà 100 milioni ma irrinunciabile|url=https://askanews.it/old/op.php?file=/politica/2023/02/06/milano-cortina-zaia-pista-bob-coster%C3%A0-100-milioni-ma-irrinunciabile-pn_20230206_00083/|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922212135/https://askanews.it/old/op.php?file=/politica/2023/02/06/milano-cortina-zaia-pista-bob-coster%C3%A0-100-milioni-ma-irrinunciabile-pn_20230206_00083/ |archive-date=22 September 2023 |url-status=live}} Calling for tenders to award the work, no company came forward with a bid by the 31 July 2023 deadline;{{cite news|date=2023-07-31|title=Nessuna azienda ha partecipato alla gara per costruire la contestata pista da bob a Cortina per le Olimpiadi invernali del 2026|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2023/07/31/bando-pista-bob-cortina/|website=Il Post|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731163913/https://www.ilpost.it/2023/07/31/bando-pista-bob-cortina/ |archive-date=31 July 2023 |url-status=live}} even after that, no company interested in carrying out the work could be found, both for economic reasons and because of the difficulty to complete all works before the start of the Olympics.{{cite news|date=2023-09-21|title=Nessuno vuole costruire la pista da bob di Cortina|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2023/09/21/nessuno-costruire-pista-bob-cortina-olimpiadi/|website=Il Post|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921200340/https://www.ilpost.it/2023/09/21/nessuno-costruire-pista-bob-cortina-olimpiadi/ |archive-date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}} Due to critical issues, costs and prohibitive times for the total renovation of Cortina track, the mayor of Innsbruck, Austria made a proposal for the use of the Igls Olympic Sliding Centre in Innsbruck.{{cite news|title=Innsbruck Mayor invites Milan Cortina 2026 to use Igls track for Winter Olympic sliding events|author=Mike Rowbottom|date=2023-09-09|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140637/innsbruck-igls-milan-cortina-2026-offer|work=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909175800/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1140637/innsbruck-igls-milan-cortina-2026-offer |archive-date=9 September 2023 |url-status=live}} On 16 October 2023 the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) announced that the track will not be rebuilt to host the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and the sliding events could be held outside of Italy.{{cite news|title=2026 Winter Olympics: Sliding events to be held outside Italy|website=BBC|date=2023-10-16|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-sports/67120057|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016085457/https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-sports/67120057 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |url-status=live}} However, the current Italian government wanted the sliding events to remain in Italy, so they studied the possibility to revamp the Cesana Pariol track which hosted the events at the 2006 Winter Olympics, which has been dormant since 2011.{{cite news|title=Italian Government wants sliding sports to remain in country for Milan Cortina 2026|date=2023-10-23|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141997/milan-cortina-2026-sliding-sports-venue|work=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023120222/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141997/milan-cortina-2026-sliding-sports-venue |archive-date=23 October 2023 |url-status=live}} Since then, several construction companies have submitted bids to study a potential reconstruction of the Eugenio Monti track.{{cite news|title=Milano-Cortina 2026: at least one candidate for the sliding track|date=2024-01-23|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1143467/milano-cortina-2026-candidat-build-track|work=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123131023/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1143467/milano-cortina-2026-candidat-build-track |archive-date=23 January 2024 |url-status=live}} A bid was won to build a new sliding track instead of rebuilding the Eugenio Monti track, which was demolished.{{cite news|title=Milan-Cortina 2026 approves construction plans for Winter Olympics sliding venue despite risks and IOC opposition|website=GamesBids|date=2024-01-31|url=https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/milan-cortina-2026-approves-construction-plans-for-winter-olympics-sliding-venue-despite-risks-and-ioc-opposition/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131173929/https://gamesbids.com/eng/winter-olympic-bids/milan-cortina-2026-approves-construction-plans-for-winter-olympics-sliding-venue-despite-risks-and-ioc-opposition |archive-date=31 January 2024 |url-status=live}}

Despite concerns about the new track not being ready on time, it was confirmed in September 2024 that the new Eugenio Monti track was on schedule, and that homologation of the track was expected by March 2025.{{cite news|title=The Eugenio Monti track is on schedule|url=https://www.francsjeux.com/en/short/the-eugenio-monti-track-is-on-schedule/|website=Francs Jeux|date=2024-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910151545/https://www.francsjeux.com/en/short/the-eugenio-monti-track-is-on-schedule/ |archive-date=10 September 2024 |url-status=live}} From 24 to 28 March 2025, the venue's first tests were held.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Testing begins at Cortina's controversial Olympic sliding track for bobsled, luge and skeleton |url=https://apnews.com/article/cortina-sliding-track-bobsled-cc44101862324e07beba34692b757fb6 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2025-03-31|title=Athletes hail successful test of Sliding Centre and "beautiful track" ahead of Milano Cortina 2026|url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/sliding-centre-cortina-milano-cortina-initial-test-2026|publisher=IOC|language=en}}

Had the new facility not had been ready in time, the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run in Lake Placid, United States (which hosted sliding events at the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics) had been designated as a backup venue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-lake-placid-9b7a6534|title=The Milan Olympics Has a Backup Location. It's in Upstate New York.|date=18 December 2024|first=Joshua|last=Robinson|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=13 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220190902/https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-lake-placid-9b7a6534 |archive-date=20 December 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/sliding-venue-milano-cortina-2026-games-have-first-tests-march-says-ioc-2024-12-03/|title=Sliding venue for Milano-Cortina 2026 Games to have first tests in March, says IOC|date=4 December 2024|work=Reuters|access-date=13 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204022921/https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/sliding-venue-milano-cortina-2026-games-have-first-tests-march-says-ioc-2024-12-03/ |archive-date=4 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|2026 Winter Olympics torch relay}}

The Olympic torch relay is scheduled to start on 26 November 2025 with the flame lighting in Olympia, Greece, and conclude on 6 February 2026 in Milan, Italy, coinciding with the opening ceremony at San Siro. The route is expected to visit all 110 provinces of Italy making 60 stops over 63 days across {{convert|12000|km|mi}}{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-unveils-greatest-journey-as-olympic-torch-relay-route-announced|title=Milano Cortina 2026 unveils “Greatest Journey” as Olympic Torch Relay route announced|date=26 November 2024|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127224724/https://olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-unveils-greatest-journey-as-olympic-torch-relay-route-announced |archive-date=27 November 2024 |url-status=live}}

The Olympic torch was presented in a simultaneous event held in Milan in Italy and Osaka in Japan. It was revealed at the Triennale di Milano and at the Italian pavilion at Expo 2025 as a way of connecting the two twin cities, as Milan previously hosted Expo 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/news/milano-cortina-2026-olympic-torch-at-expo-2025-osaka|title=Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch at Expo 2025 Osaka|date=12 July 2024|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=28 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726202957/https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/news/milano-cortina-2026-olympic-torch-at-expo-2025-osaka |archive-date=26 July 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/ansacom/notizie/sport/coca-cola/2024/11/26/al-via-il-viaggio-della-fiamma-olimpica-di-milano-cortina_2f684b1a-10f1-4506-8b37-69b3f5fe8ae4.html|title=Al via il viaggio della fiamma olimpica di Milano Cortina|date=26 November 2024|language=it|publisher=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|access-date=28 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128162616/https://www.ansa.it/ansacom/notizie/sport/coca-cola/2024/11/26/al-via-il-viaggio-della-fiamma-olimpica-di-milano-cortina_2f684b1a-10f1-4506-8b37-69b3f5fe8ae4.html |archive-date=28 November 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150328/milano-cortina-2026-olympic-torch-paraly|title=Milano Cortina 2026 and the Olympic Torch: A journey without equal|date=27 November 2024|work=Inside the Games|access-date=3 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127171249/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1150328/milano-cortina-2026-olympic-torch-paraly |archive-date=27 November 2024 |url-status=live}} The torch is light blue whereas the corresponding Paralympic torch is bronze.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250414-winter-olympics-torch-unveiled-in-joint-ceremony-in-milan-and-osaka|title=Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and BerLA 2026 HPEO Games torches unveiled in joint ceremony in Berlin, Milan, and Osaka|date=14 April 2025|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=France 24|access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414234619/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250414-winter-olympics-torch-unveiled-in-joint-ceremony-in-milan-and-osaka |archive-date=14 April 2025 |url-status=live}} Named "Essential"; developed by Eni and its subsidiary Versalis, designed by Studio Carlo Ratti Associati and produced in Italy by Cavagna Group, the torches are made primarily of an alloy of recycled aluminium and bronze. They run bio-LPG, a fuel made from renewable materials, produced at the {{ill|Enilive|it}} biorefinery in Gela, and have been designed to be refilled up to ten times in order to cut down on the number of torches produced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/innovation-sustainability-torch-design-milano-cortina-2026|title=Innovation and sustainability at the heart of the torches of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026|date=14 April 2025|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414234644/https://www.olympics.com/en/news/innovation-sustainability-torch-design-milano-cortina-2026 |archive-date=14 April 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Venues of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics}}

{{Location map+

| Italy North

| width = 400

| float = right

| caption = Locations of the venues in Lombardy and Northeast Italy The host cities are in blue.

| places =

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Milan|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right|lat_deg=45.48|lon_deg=9.133333}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Rho|position=top|lat_deg=45.52028|lon_deg=9.078859}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Assago|position=bottom|lat_deg=45.4|lon_deg=9.12}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Bormio|position=top|lat_deg=46.47|lon_deg=10.37}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Livigno|position=left|lat_deg=46.53|lon_deg=10.13}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Cortina d'Ampezzo|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right|lat_deg=46.54|lon_deg=12.14}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label={{nowrap|Rasen-Antholz}}|position=top|lat_deg=46.78|lon_deg=12.05}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Predazzo|position=left|lat_deg=46.33|lon_deg=11.61}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label={{nowrap|Tesero}}|position=bottom|lat_deg=46.28|lon_deg=11.52}}

{{Location map~|Italy North|label=Verona|position=right|lat_deg=45.44|lon_deg=10.99}}

}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Stadio Meazza 2021.jpg

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| caption1 =

| image2 = Italy - Verona - Arena.jpg

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| caption2 = San Siro Stadium in Milan and Verona Arena will be venues of opening and closing ceremonies, respectively.

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The Games will primarily utilize existing venues across Lombardy and Northeast Italy, including those used by the 1956 Winter Olympics previously held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, and by the 2013 Winter Universiade hosted by the province of Trentino. Most ice events, aside from curling, will be held in the Milan cluster, while sliding and snow events will be held in clusters around Cortina, Valtellina and the Fiemme Valley.

A new 16,000-seat multi-use arena designed by David Chipperfield is being constructed in Milan's Santa Giulia district, which will host ice hockey.{{Cite news |date=2023-06-04 |title=Piling work to start on ice hockey venue for Milan Cortina 2026 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1137599/work-starts-ice-hockey-venue-milan-2026 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240720132326/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1137599/work-starts-ice-hockey-venue-milan-2026 |archive-date=2024-07-20 |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=Inside the Games}} San Siro will host the opening ceremony, while the historic Verona Arena will host the closing ceremony.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-29 |title=2026 opening ceremony set for San Siro stadium |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/32504030/opening-ceremony-2026-winter-olympics-held-san-siro-stadium-milan-mayor-says |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029200724/https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/32504030/opening-ceremony-2026-winter-olympics-held-san-siro-stadium-milan-mayor-says |archive-date=29 October 2021 |url-status=live}}

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to feature 116 medal events in 16 disciplines, an increase of seven events and one discipline over Beijing 2022. New medal events will include men's and women's dual moguls in freestyle skiing, men's and women's doubles in luge (replacing the open doubles event), men's and women's team alpine combined, women's large hill individual in ski jumping, and mixed relay team in skeleton. The Games will have the highest percentage of women's participation in Winter Olympic history, at 47%.{{cite web |title=Milano Cortina 2026 set to become the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games in history |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-set-to-become-the-most-gender-balanced-olympic-winter-games-in-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628074149/https://olympics.com/ioc/news/milano-cortina-2026-set-to-become-the-most-gender-balanced-olympic-winter-games-in-history |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=International Olympic Committee}}{{Cite news |date=2023-06-20 |title=Alpine skiing combined to become team event for Milan Cortina 2026 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1138130/alpine-combined-team-event-milan-2026 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240720140501/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1138130/alpine-combined-team-event-milan-2026 |archive-date=2024-07-20 |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=Inside the Games}}

The alpine mixed team parallel event has been dropped. Alpine combined will switch from an individual format to two-person teams; the event had seen diminishing participation due to evolving technical and training requirements, and had been dropped from the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit in 2020.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=Alpine combined to be team event at '26 Games |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/37890542/alpine-skiing-combined-team-event-2026-olympics |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621193026/https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/37890542/alpine-skiing-combined-team-event-2026-olympics |archive-date=21 June 2023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sheinin |first=Dave |date=2022-02-10 |title=The end of the combined? Alpine officials contemplate the future of the event |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/02/10/end-combined-alpine-officials-contemplate-future-event/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210192613/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/02/10/end-combined-alpine-officials-contemplate-future-event/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Alpine Combined To Become Team Event At 2026 Games |url=https://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/2023/june/alpine-combined-to-become-team-event-at-2026-games/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=www.snowindustrynews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709192805/https://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/2023/june/alpine-combined-to-become-team-event-at-2026-games/ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live}} Team ski jumping and Nordic combined will also switch to two-person teams, with the latter adopting a large hill/2x7.5km course. For the first time at the Olympics, women will race the same distances in cross-country skiing as men.

At the 138th IOC Session on 20 July 2021, the IOC approved a proposal by the organising committee to add ski mountaineering as a debuting optional sport. It will consist of three medal events: men's sprint, women's sprint, and mixed relay.{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Hritika |title=Ski mountaineering added to 2026 Winter Olympic program |url=https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/federations/2021/07/21/ski-mountaineering-added-to-2026-winter-olympic-programme/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109002223/https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/federations/2021/07/21/ski-mountaineering-added-to-2026-winter-olympic-programme/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=22 July 2021 |website=Infobae|date=21 July 2021 }} In February 2024, the IIHF announced an agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to allow its players to participate in the Olympic men's hockey tournament for the first time since 2014.{{cite web |date=2 February 2024 |title=NHL players to return to Olympics in 2026 and 2030 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/sport/nhl-hockey-2026-olympics/index.html |accessdate=3 February 2024 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203104836/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/sport/nhl-hockey-2026-olympics/index.html |archive-date=3 February 2024 |url-status=live}}

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of medal events contested in each discipline.

{{div col}}

• {{GamesSport|Alpine skiing|Events=10}}
• {{GamesSport|Biathlon|Events=11}}
• {{GamesSport|Bobsleigh|Events=4}}
• {{GamesSport|Cross-country skiing|Events=12}}
• {{GamesSport|Curling|Events=3}}
• {{GamesSport|Figure skating|Events=5}}
• {{GamesSport|Freestyle skiing|Events=15}}
• {{GamesSport|Ice hockey|Events=2}}
• {{GamesSport|Luge|Events=5}}
• {{GamesSport|Nordic combined|Events=3}}
• {{GamesSport|Short-track speed skating|Events=9}}
• {{GamesSport|Skeleton|Events=3}}
• {{GamesSport|Ski jumping|Events=6}}
• {{GamesSport|Ski mountaineering|Events=3}}
• {{GamesSport|Snowboarding|Events=11}}
• {{GamesSport|Speed skating|Events=14}}

{{div col end}}

The following 83 National Olympic Committees have qualified athletes. Twelve men's ice hockey teams and ten women's teams, including the hosts Italy, were confirmed as qualified by the International Ice Hockey Federation, with Russia provisionally holding a spot in both tournaments.{{cite web|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/static/56965/men_s_olympic_winter_game|title=Olympic Winter Games, Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|publisher=IIHF.com|access-date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403180404/https://www.iihf.com/en/static/56965/men_s_olympic_winter_game |archive-date=3 April 2025 |url-status=live}} However, its participation is uncertain due to the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine starting in 2022. Russian and Belarusian athletes were not permitted to enter in team events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris; 15 Russian and 17 Belarusian neutrals participated as a result.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-russia-ukraine-neutral-athletes-0c753936cc1da967756a64cdeff8cb59 |title=The 15 Russian 'neutrals' at the Paris Olympics are politically isolated and rarely in the spotlight |date=4 August 2024 |work=AP News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804182823/https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-russia-ukraine-neutral-athletes-0c753936cc1da967756a64cdeff8cb59 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Walker-Roberts |first=James |date=10 August 2024 |title=Paris Olympic Games 2024: Will Russian and Belarusian athletes compete? What country is AIN? Can they win medals? |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/olympics/olympic-games-paris-2024/2024/russian-belarusian-athletes-ain-compete-neutral-athletes-win-medals_sto20012171/story.shtml |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=TNT Sports |language=en-GB}} The final decision on Russia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in ice hockey is expected in mid-2025. Other NOCs have had at least one male or female competitor meet the minimum alpine skiing and cross-country skiing requirements.{{cite web|url=https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Olympic-Games/Milano-Cortina-2026/qualification-system/Qualification-System-for-Alpine-Skiing.pdf|title=Qualification System for Alpine Skiing|publisher=Olympics.com|access-date=24 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209144552/https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Olympic-Games/Milano-Cortina-2026/qualification-system/Qualification-System-for-Alpine-Skiing.pdf |archive-date=9 December 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Olympic-Games/Milano-Cortina-2026/qualification-system/Qualification-System-for-Cross-Country-Skiing.pdf|title=Qualification System for XXV Olympic Winter Games, Milano Cortina 2026|date=21 June 2024|publisher=International Ski Federation (FIS)|accessdate=12 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209144555/https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Olympic-Games/Milano-Cortina-2026/qualification-system/Qualification-System-for-Cross-Country-Skiing.pdf |archive-date=9 December 2023 |url-status=live}} The United Arab Emirates is expected to make its Winter Olympics debut.

For the first time, the emblem of an Olympic Games was determined via a public vote. On 6 March 2021 during the Sanremo Music Festival 2021 finals, two candidate designs titled "Dado" and "Futura" were unveiled by former Italian Olympic gold medallists Federica Pellegrini and Alberto Tomba. They were both designed by Landor Associates.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2021 |title=Dal festival di Sanremo Pellegrini e Tomba lanciano 'Dado' o 'Futura', loghi di Milano-Cortina 2026 |url=https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/milano-cortina_2026_due_settimane_di_giuria_popolare_per_il_simbolo_delle_olimpiadi-290701005/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116211932/https://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/milano-cortina_2026_due_settimane_di_giuria_popolare_per_il_simbolo_delle_olimpiadi-290701005/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=la Repubblica |language=it}}{{Cite news |date=9 March 2021 |title=Milano Cortina 2026 Launch Online Vote to Decide Emblem |url=https://www.olympic.org/news/milano-cortina-2026-launch-online-vote-to-decide-emblem |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=International Olympic Committee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310034255/https://www.olympic.org/news/milano-cortina-2026-launch-online-vote-to-decide-emblem |archive-date=10 March 2021 |url-status=live}} On 30 March 2021, "Futura" was announced as the winning emblem.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dire.it/07-03-2021/609677-olimpiadi-2026-dado-o-futura-ecco-il-loghi-per-milano-cortina/|title=Olimpiadi 2026, 'Dado' o 'Futura': ecco il loghi per Milano Cortina|date=7 March 2021|first=Erika|last=Primavera|agency=DIRE|location=Rome|language=it|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116211941/https://www.dire.it/07-03-2021/609677-olimpiadi-2026-dado-o-futura-ecco-il-loghi-per-milano-cortina/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=30 March 2021|title=Milano Cortina 2026, i nuovi simboli. E' 'Futura' il logo scelto, bianco per le olimpiadi, colorato per le paralimpiadi – Sport|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/2021/03/30/milano-cortina-2026-i-nuovi-simboli.-e-futura-il-logo-scelto-bianco-per-le-olimpiadi-colorato-per-le-paralimpiadi_1a3de5f7-ce65-4fb0-879a-76fec343a3dd.html|access-date=30 March 2021|website=Agenzia ANSA|language=it|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116211934/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/2021/03/30/milano-cortina-2026-i-nuovi-simboli.-e-futura-il-logo-scelto-bianco-per-le-olimpiadi-colorato-per-le-paralimpiadi_1a3de5f7-ce65-4fb0-879a-76fec343a3dd.html|url-status=live}} The emblem consists of a stylized "26" written in a single stroke, representing the impact of "small gestures", and "sport, solidarity, and sustainability".{{Cite web |date=2021-03-30 |title=Milan Cortina 2026 unveil "Futura" design as Winter Olympic and Paralympic logo |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1106055/milan-cortina-2026-unveil-new-logo |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.insidethegames.biz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330105623/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1106055/milan-cortina-2026-unveil-new-logo |archive-date=30 March 2021 |url-status=live}}

The Games' official slogan, "IT's Your Vibe", was announced on 23 February 2025; it uses "IT" as both an abbreviation for Italy (i.e. "[Italy's] Your Vibe") and as the contraction "It's", with variants of the slogan used in other contexts to reflect upon the Games and its host country.{{Cite news |date=2025-02-23 |title=Milano Cortina unveils slogan |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152004/milano-cortina-2026-unveils-its-motto |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250223150354/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1152004/milano-cortina-2026-unveils-its-motto |archive-date=2025-02-23 |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=Inside the Games}}

{{Main|Tina and Milo}}

An online vote closing on 28 February 2023 was held among a list of candidates to select the two mascots of the event. The winning candidates, designed by the students of a school in Taverna and inspired by stoats,{{Cite web|date=1 March 2023|title=Milano-Cortina: dalla Calabria la mascotte delle Olimpiadi|url=https://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2023/03/01/milano-cortina-dalla-calabria-la-mascotte-delle-olimpiadi_45047494-c541-4735-a4a9-343d4f06cd67.html|access-date=7 February 2024|website=Agenzia ANSA|language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301185057/https://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2023/03/01/milano-cortina-dalla-calabria-la-mascotte-delle-olimpiadi_45047494-c541-4735-a4a9-343d4f06cd67.html |archive-date=1 March 2023 |url-status=live}} were presented during the second night of the Sanremo Music Festival 2024 on 7 February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/spettacolo/musica/2024/02/07/scaletta-sanremo-seconda-serata/|title=Scaletta seconda serata Sanremo 2024, l'ordine di uscita di cantanti e ospiti stasera|language=it|work=Sky TG24|publisher=Sky Italia|date=2024-02-07|access-date=2024-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207051419/https://tg24.sky.it/spettacolo/musica/2024/02/07/scaletta-sanremo-seconda-serata/ |archive-date=7 February 2024 |url-status=live}} Their names were revealed to be Tina and Milo (derived from the names of the host cities), and are portrayed as sister and brother.{{Cite web|date=7 February 2024|last=Di Grazia|first=Ida|url=https://www.leggo.it/spettacoli/sanremo_2024_diretta_seconda_serata_oggi_7_2_2024-7921062.html|title=Sanremo 2024, diretta seconda serata Incursione del signor Ruggero di Viva Rai2. I cantanti diventano presentatori. Giorgia co-conduttrice|access-date=7 February 2024|website=Leggo|language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207201839/https://www.leggo.it/spettacoli/sanremo_2024_diretta_seconda_serata_oggi_7_2_2024-7921062.html |archive-date=7 February 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/mascotte-2024/|title=The mascots of Milano Cortina 2026|access-date=9 February 2024|website=olympics.com|publisher=IOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213130832/https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en/mascotte-2024/ |archive-date=13 February 2024 |url-status=live}} The choice of stoats has been explained as being due to these animals' embodiment of "the contemporary Italian spirit" of curiosity, ability to change according to the seasons, and capacity of adaptation to challenging habitats. The two main mascots are additionally accompanied by six snowdrop flowers, called "The Flo".{{Cite web|url=https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/it/news-giochi-olimpici-invernali/la-storia-di-tina-e-milo/|title=La storia di Tina e Milo|language=it|access-date=9 February 2024|website=olympics.com|publisher=IOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208143928/https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/it/news-giochi-olimpici-invernali/la-storia-di-tina-e-milo/ |archive-date=8 February 2024 |url-status=live}}

Milo, a brown stoat, and Tina, a white stoat, are brother and sister "born in the mountains of Italy", who "decided to move to the city". Tina, the main Olympic mascot, symbolizes art, music, and the transformative force of beauty. Milo, the Paralympic mascot, was born without a leg but uses his tail to help him to take a normal life with some ingenuity, willpower, and creativity.

During the Sanremo Music Festival 2022 finals, the two final candidates for the official anthem of the event were presented, with a poll opening afterward. On 7 March 2022, "Fino all'alba" ("Until the dawn") — composed by the youth music group La Cittadina of the San Pietro Martire in Seveso, and performed during Sanremo by Arisa — was announced as the winner.{{Cite news|last=Bila|first=Leticia|date=7 March 2022|title=Milan Cortina 2026 unveils official song after earning 72 per cent of vote|work=InsideTheGames.biz|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120206/milan-cortina-2026-official-song-chosen|url-status=live|access-date=8 March 2022|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116211944/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1120206/milan-cortina-2026-official-song-chosen}}

{{main|List of 2026 Winter Olympics broadcasters}}

In Italy, domestic pay-TV rights are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, with free-to-air coverage and digital rights owned by RAI under a sublicense agreement with the European Broadcasting Union.{{cite news|title=Le Olimpiadi fino al 2032 sulla Rai, insieme a Ebu e Discovery|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2023/01/olimpiadi-cortina2026-losangeles2028-dirittitv-rai-servizio-pubblico-ebu-discovery-e1233c11-bd72-4f4f-867f-8c9e280f6349.html|access-date=16 January 2023|work=Rai News|date=16 January 2023|language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116110441/https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2023/01/olimpiadi-cortina2026-losangeles2028-dirittitv-rai-servizio-pubblico-ebu-discovery-e1233c11-bd72-4f4f-867f-8c9e280f6349.html |archive-date=16 January 2023 |url-status=live}} On 16 January 2023, the IOC announced that it had renewed its European broadcast rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to last from 2026 through to 2032. The contract covers pay television and streaming rights to the Summer, Winter, and Youth Olympics on Eurosport and Discovery+ in 49 European territories. Unlike the previous contract where corporate precursor Discovery, Inc. was responsible for sublicensing them to broadcasters in each country,{{cite web |last=Ourand |first=John |date=29 June 2015 |title=Discovery Lands European Olympic Rights Through '24 |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/SB-Blogs/On-The-Ground/2015/06/0629-Breaking-News.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702012124/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/SB-Blogs/On-The-Ground/2015/06/0629-Breaking-News.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2015 |access-date=1 July 2015 |website=sportsbusinessdaily.com |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |date=29 June 2015 |title=BBC dealt another blow after losing control of TV rights for Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/29/bbc-loses-control-olympic-tv-rights-discovery-eurosport |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703194229/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/29/bbc-loses-control-olympic-tv-rights-discovery-eurosport |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=The Guardian |df=dmy-all}} free-to-air rights packages were concurrently awarded to the EBU and its members to cover at least 100 hours of each Winter Olympics.{{Cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=2023-01-16 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery, European Broadcasting Union Secure Olympics Rights in Europe Through 2032 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/warner-bros-discovery-olympics-rights-europe-ebu-1235300612/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116110154/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/warner-bros-discovery-olympics-rights-europe-ebu-1235300612/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |url-status=live}} EBU member RAI then signed a sub-licensing deal for Italian free-to-air TV and digital rights.

{{IOC seealso|games=2026 Winter Olympics}}

• {{annotated link|2026 Summer Youth Olympics}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IOC games|games=2026 Winter Olympics}}
• [https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/ Milano–Cortina 2026]

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports|woly}}

{{s-bef|before=Beijing}}

{{s-ttl|title=XXV Olympic Winter Games
Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo|years=2026}}

{{s-aft|after=French Alps}}

{{s-end}}

{{Olympic Games}}

{{Nations at the 2026 Winter Olympics}}

{{Economy of Italy}}

{{Portal bar|Olympics|Italy|Sports|2020s}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Winter Olympics, 2026}}

2026

Category:Scheduled multi-sport events

Category:2026 in multi-sport events

Category:2026 in winter sports

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Category:February 2026 sports events in Europe

Category:Sports competitions in Milan

Category:Sport in Cortina d'Ampezzo