Where the Games Will Take Place

The Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina will be the most geographically expansive Winter Games in history, spread across two regions (Lombardy and Veneto) and two autonomous provinces (Trentino and South Tyrol). From world-class Alpine slopes to historic arenas, Italy is using a mix of legendary venues and new facilities to stage the Games.

Here’s your guide to the venues hosting the world’s best athletes.

🏔️ Cortina d’Ampezzo – The Queen of the Dolomites

• Events: Alpine skiing (women), curling, biathlon, skeleton, luge, bobsleigh

• Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, Cortina returns 70 years after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics. Its iconic bobsleigh track has been revived, and the curling will be staged in a brand-new Ice Stadium.

• Cortina isn’t just about sport — it’s also a playground for skiers and a backdrop for Hollywood films, from James Bond to House of Gucci.

🏔️ Bormio – The Stelvio Beast

• Events: Alpine skiing (men)

• Famous for its Stelvio piste, one of the toughest downhill courses on the World Cup circuit, Bormio will host the men’s Alpine events, including the blue-ribbon downhill.

• With a vertical drop of over 1,000m, this is where speed, courage, and precision collide. Expect fireworks.

🏔️ Livigno – Freestyle & Snowboard Capital

• Events: Freestyle skiing and snowboarding (slopestyle, big air, halfpipe, snowboard cross)

• Perched at 1,800m and known for its high-altitude terrain parks, Livigno will showcase the sport’s most progressive athletes. From snowboard big air to freestyle halfpipe, this is where style meets adrenaline.

• Livigno has a vibrant après scene too, making it a fan favourite.

🏔️ Val di Fiemme & Predazzo – Nordic Heartland

• Events: Cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined

• A classic name on the FIS Nordic circuit, Val di Fiemme and Predazzo have hosted three Nordic World Championships. They’ll now stage Olympic events across cross-country, ski jumping and Nordic combined.

• Expect huge crowds, ski festival energy, and a true Nordic atmosphere in the Dolomites.

🏔️ Anterselva (Antholz) – Biathlon’s Cathedral

• Events: Biathlon

• A legendary venue for biathlon, Anterselva sits at 1,600m in South Tyrol. Its biathlon stadium regularly hosts World Cup events, and its natural amphitheatre offers some of the most stunning backdrops of the Games.

🏙️ Milan – Ice & Opening Ceremony

• Events: Figure skating, short track speed skating, ice hockey

• San Siro Stadium in Milan will host the Opening Ceremony on 6 February 2026, bringing Olympic fire to one of football’s greatest arenas.

• Ice events will take place in modern city arenas, giving fans the chance to combine a winter sports trip with Italy’s fashion and culture capital.

🏛️ Verona – Closing Ceremony

• Events: Closing Ceremony (Arena di Verona)

• Few Olympics have ended in a setting as dramatic as the Roman amphitheatre in Verona. Built in the 1st century, the Arena will stage the Closing Ceremony on 22 February 2026, uniting 2,000 years of history with the modern Olympic spirit.

❄️ A Games Like No Other

Milano Cortina 2026 will spread events across mountains and cities, old and new. It’s the first Winter Games to be so geographically vast — and the mix of Alpine tradition, modern arenas, and cultural landmarks will make it a truly unique Olympic experience.

For more on dates, athletes, and sports, see our Ultimate Guide to the Winter Olympics 2026.