The countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has officially begun, marked by numerous events and preparations as Italy gears up to host its third Winter Games. The opening ceremony, set for February 6, 2026, at the iconic San Siro stadium, promises to be a spectacular event, with immense anticipation already building among athletes and fans alike.
During the "One Year to Go" ceremony held at Milan's Strehler Theater, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach proudly declared, "Italy is ready to write a new chapter in the history of the Olympics." His sentiment echoed the collective excitement surrounding this monumental event, which is not only pivotal for Italy but also for the world of winter sports.
The Games will run from February 6 to February 22, 2026, with the Paralympics following shortly after from March 6 to 15, 2026. This edition aims to set new benchmarks for sustainability and innovation, utilizing existing facilities to minimize environmental impact. Bach emphasized the significance of utilizing venues familiar with hosting world-class events, stating, "Milano Cortina will be the first Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to fully benefit from our Olympic Agenda reforms from start to finish."
Among the locations hosting events include Milano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and various sites across Lombardia, Veneto, and Trentino, showcasing the rich natural beauty of the Italian Alps along with cultural and gastronomic excellence. This strategic decision to decentralize events to existing infrastructure intends to limit construction costs and environmental disruption. For example, the Olympic Village located at Scalo Romana is set to be converted to student housing after the Games.
Despite the fervor, some concerns loom over the completion of the sliding center at Cortina, which has been under construction for the past year. The IOC has mandated pre-certification of the track by the end of next month to avoid potential relocation of the bobsled, luge, and skeleton events to Lake Placid, New York. Regional President Luca Zaia brushed aside such worries, asserting, "Absolutely not!" when asked if they might have to move sliding events across the Atlantic. He reassured reporters, saying, "We are really ahead with the work," as preparations continue at full throttle.
The urgency around the sliding track's completion is reflected by the deployment of approximately 180 workers, who labor daily to transform the site from its formerly abandoned state to a world-class facility. "We went to salvage a dump, an excellent skeleton from the old, abandoned sliding track,” Zaia explained, underscoring the project's significance in reclaiming and revitalizing the area.
On the public engagement front, excitement is also apparent. The first day of pre-sales for tickets saw 65,000 sold within hours, showcasing overwhelming interest from citizens and tourists alike. General sales are slated to launch in April 2025, providing more opportunities for fans to experience the thrills of the Games live.
The ceremony also highlighted the importance of community involvement, with local authorities encouraging citizens and schools to engage actively with the upcoming Games. Massimo Sertori, Councillor of the Lombardy Region, expressed optimism about infrastructural advancements, reiteratively calling for public support and engagement, stating, "A year ago I was worried. Today I look at the completion of the works with optimism."
At various initiatives leading up to the Games, locals can actively participate at the Milano Cortina 2026 Sports Village set up at Piazza Duomo, which will be open until March 6, 2025. Here, the public can engage with winter sports through free hands-on sessions of ice hockey and curling, offering 30-minute lessons from trained instructors. This initiative not only promotes winter sports but also instills the spirit of the Olympics within the community.
The preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics rarely stray from the course set by the aspirations of the organizing committee and local authorities. Key figures from Lombardia and Veneto, including Attilio Fontana and Gianluca Lorenzi, reinforce their commitment to ensuring both the Games' success and the safety of those involved.
Safety, especially within the realms of labor on construction sites, emerged as a focal point during recent discussions, particularly for the upcoming works associated with the Winter Olympics. The collaborative effort across various stakeholders, from local governments to trade organizations, aims to establish clear safety protocols, reinforcing the area's commitment to maintaining high standards during the preparations.
Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, emphasized optimism around the benefits the Games will yield for the community, remarking, “The assessment one year after the Olympics is positive, both for the results achieved and for the community's benefit.”
With excitement building and preparations well underway, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics appear poised not only to exceed expectations but also to leave behind a legacy of sustainability and community engagement. One thing is certain: as the countdown hastens, Italy is set to take center stage once again on the world’s biggest sporting event, showcasing all its glory and splendor.