Travel Tips

Where to go and what to see at Italy’s Winter Olympics in 2026

Discover Italy’s Winter Olympics this 2026. Find must-watch events, venues, and tips for an unforgettable Olympic experience.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will be spread across the country’s northern mountain towns and city arenas, blending alpine landscapes, historic venues, and world-class competition.

Host Country	Italy (Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Dates	February 6–22, 2026
Main Venues	• Milan (ice events) • Cortina (skiing & sliding) • Livigno (snowboarding) • Val di Fiemme (Nordic sports) • Pinerolo (curling) • Verona Arena (closing ceremony)
Opening Ceremony	San Siro Stadium, Milan
Closing Ceremony	Verona Arena
Total Sports	16 Olympic sports
Notable Clusters	Ice Sports Hub (Milan), Snow & Ski Cluster (Cortina / Livigno), Nordic Cluster (Val di Fiemme)

Whether you’re wondering “when are the Winter Olympics in Italy” or “what are the must-see events”, read on for your guide to what to see and when.

In this article

Ice Sports (Milan)

Source: Shutterstock

Ice events are concentrated in Milan’s metropolitan area, making this cluster easy and convenient to navigate. The three Milan venues (Milano Ice Skating Arena, Milano Ice Park, Santagiulia Arena) are on the metro network and just a short walk or shuttle from a metro station.

Figure Skating: You can watch singles, pairs, and ice-dance, including finals, at the Milano Ice Skating Arena. Given figure skating’s global popularity, these will likely be among the most in-demand tickets.
Short Track: Milano Ice Skating Arena also hosts nine events (men’s, women’s, and mixed-team relay) of short track speed skating. The short track is high-speed and unpredictable, making it a spectator favorite.
Speed Skating: Long-track competitions emphasize endurance and precision over speed. These events take place at Milano Ice Park (a converted pavilion at the Fiera Milano exhibition center).
Ice Hockey: The brand-new Santagiulia Arena will host men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments, bringing huge international crowds. The men’s tournament features 12 national teams (including host nation Italy).

Why go: Warm indoor venues, easy access from Milan’s international airports, and affordable accommodation. This cluster is perfect for travelers who want to keep their Italy trip costs low, those who prefer city-based events, and anyone solo traveling in Italy.

Alpine Skiing (Cortina d’Ampezzo)

Source: Shutterstock

Cortina d’Ampezzo, a mountain town in Northeast Italy, is the heart of the Alpine competitions. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Dolomites,” Cortina boasts breathtaking scenery and, during the Italy Winter Olympics in 2026, offers a complete range of alpine skiing.

Downhill & Super-G: The downhill on Olympia delle Tofane promises pure speed, on a slope built for velocity, jumps, and technical demands. Meanwhile, Super-G mixes speed with more gates than downhill, demanding lightning-fast reactions.
Giant Slalom & Slalom: The technicality of these events brings a different kind of intensity. Expect tight turns, rapid changes of direction, and an incredible show of precision and agility.

Why go: Olympic heritage (Cortina previously hosted the 1956 Olympic Games), breathtaking scenery, and an opportunity to hit the slopes yourself (just make sure your Italy packing list includes ski wear!)

Snowboarding & Freestyle Skiing (Livigno)

Snowboarder jumps in snow park in the snowy mountains in Livigno, Italy

Livigno is an Alpine town near the Swiss border. Sitting at 1,816 m above sea level, it’s home to some of the country’s best snow parks, and so, it is a fitting host for the younger, high-energy side of the Olympic Games.

The main site is Livigno Snow Park, which will host various snowboarding and freeskiing competitions.

Halfpipe & Big Air: These are among the most spectacular events, with daring tricks and high‑risk, high‑reward moves.
Slopestyle: A playground for creativity, Slopestyle features a mix of technical tricks and style.
Moguls & Aerials: A must for viewers who appreciate raw athleticism, technique, and control. Moguls demand balance, timing, and rhythm, while aerials showcase spins, flips, and acrobatics.
Snowboard / Ski Cross & Parallel Giant Slalom: The most competitive, tactical, and fast‑paced, head-to-head action.

Why go: Livigno is known for its ski resort-town vibe, so you can expect a true festival atmosphere. It also has some of the best mountain food in Italy, including Pizzoccheri and bresaola.

Nordic Sports (Val di Fiemme)

Source: Shutterstock

Val di Fiemme in Trentino is one of Europe’s most celebrated Nordic ski valleys, and during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, it transforms into a hub for endurance events.

Cross-Country Skiing: The Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium will showcase major medal events across various disciplines with big national followings.
Ski Jumping: At the Giuseppe Dal Ben Ski Jumping Arena in Predazzo, you’ll get to witness the ski jumpers launch off a snowy ramp in the most thrilling and visually dramatic way.
Nordic Combined: At the Tesero stadium, you can also watch this discipline that combines ski jumping and cross‑country skiing, highlighting versatility and stamina.

Why go: One of Europe’s most iconic Nordic venues, scenic alpine‑forest setting, and cozy alpine‑village vibe.

Sliding Sports (Cortina)

At the Winter Olympics 2026 in Italy, all sliding‑sport events will take place at the Cortina Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The centre has a new 1,730-meter-long track with 16 adrenaline-pumping curves.

Bobsleigh: Teams of 2 or 4 race in a streamlined sled, reaching up to 120 km/h.
Skeleton: Athletes race head-first on a small sled, showcasing body control, aerodynamics, and courage. And for the first time at these Games, there’s a mixed‑team skeleton event.
Luge: Singles, doubles, and team relays participate in the fastest sliding event.

Why go: Speed, risk, and action make these some of the most intense events to watch live. Plus, along with sliding sports, you can watch alpine skiing at Cortina.

Curling (Pinerolo)

Source: Shutterstock

Curling at Italy’s Winter Olympics in 2026 will take place in Pinerolo, about 50 km southwest of Turin. The town has a long history of hosting winter-sport events, and in 2026, you can enjoy the calm and strategy-heavy curling.

Men’s and women’s tournaments: Traditional curling matches with 10 ends each, showcasing elite skill, strategy, and intense shot-making.
Mixed doubles: A faster-paced, more dynamic variant of curling that emphasizes teamwork and quick decision-making.

Why go: Great for spectators who want a warm indoor experience. It’s also easy to follow along with the scoring and tactics, making it ideal for first-time Olympic visitors.

New for 2026: Ski Mountaineering (Bormio & Valtellina)

Source: Shutterstock

For the first time, Ski Mountaineering makes its debut at the Winter Olympics 2026 in Italy. It combines uphill climbing with thrilling downhill skiing, testing both stamina and technical skill.

The races will happen at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio, in the snow‑capped mountains of Valtellina. There will be three medal events: men’s sprint, women’s sprint, and mixed relay.