The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, have officially taken the world by storm. For the first time in history, the Winter Games are being hosted across two primary cities—Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo—along with several regions in Northern Italy.
From the breathtaking opening ceremony at the San Siro Stadium to the debut of new sports, here is your ultimate guide to the XXV Olympic Winter Games.
Key Highlights & Dates
The Games are scheduled to run for 17 days of intense competition:
Opening Ceremony: February 6, 2026 (Milan, San Siro Stadium)
Closing Ceremony: February 22, 2026 (Verona Arena)
Host Country: Italy
Motto: "IT’s Your Vibe"
Number of Athletes: Approx. 2,900 from 92+ nations.
2026 Winter Olympics Schedule & Sports
The 2026 Games feature 116 medal events across 16 disciplines. A major highlight this year is the official debut of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo).
| Sport | Dates | Key Event |
| Alpine Skiing | Feb 7 – Feb 22 | Women’s Downhill, Men’s Slalom |
| Ice Hockey | Feb 5 – Feb 22 | Men’s & Women’s Gold Medal Games |
| Figure Skating | Feb 6 – Feb 21 | Individual & Team Events |
| Snowboarding | Feb 5 – Feb 18 | Men’s Big Air, Slopestyle |
| Ski Mountaineering | Feb 19 – Feb 21 | Olympic Debut (Sprint & Mixed Relay) |
Pro Tip: Early rounds for Curling and Ice Hockey began as early as February 4th, two days before the official opening ceremony!
The Most Widespread Games in History
Unlike previous years, the 2026 Winter Olympics are "diffuse." Events are spread across 15 venues in Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige.
Milan: Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, and Short Track Speed Skating.
Cortina d'Ampezzo: Alpine Skiing (Women), Bobsleigh, Luge, and Curling.
Val di Fiemme: Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Jumping.
Top Storylines to Watch
NHL Players Return: For the first time since 2014, NHL superstars are back on Olympic ice, making the Men's Hockey tournament a must-watch.
Gender Equality: 2026 marks the most gender-balanced Winter Games ever, with female athletes making up nearly 47% of the participants.
The Mascots: Meet Tina and Milo—two adorable stoats (weasels) representing the host cities Cortina and Milano.
Skiing Legends: All eyes are on veterans like Mikaela Shiffrin and the comeback of Lindsey Vonn.
2026 Winter Olympics Medal Count (Live Updates)
As the Games progress, the battle for the top spot is heating up. Traditionally, Norway, Germany, and the USA dominate the Winter standings.
Current Leader: Keep an eye on the official Olympic medal table as Italy and Japan have made strong early starts in Alpine events.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics
If you are wondering where to stream the action:
USA: NBC and Peacock (Live streaming).
UK: BBC Sport and Eurosport.
Global: The official Olympics.com website provides live updates and highlights.