Winter Olympic Games Milan–Cortina 2026

The countdown is about to come to an end as the most significant event of 2026 approaches: the Olympic flame, after traveling across the entire national territory, is ready to enter Milan’s Meazza Stadium (San Siro), officially marking the start of the 25th edition of the Winter Olympic Games.

In February, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will become the stage for a top-level international competition, welcoming athletes from all over the world who will compete for medals in the main winter sports disciplines: from cross-country skiing to curling, from figure skating to ski jumping.

Italy, Milan and its surrounding area in particular, are preparing to experience an extraordinary and unmissable period for fans of winter sports and the Olympic Games. The various venues will be brought to life not only by indoor and outdoor competitions, but also by a rich calendar of side events and special experiences, all united by a single common thread: sport as a means of sharing, personal growth, and social value.

Serving as symbols of this great event will be the two official mascots of the Games: Tina and Milo, two stoats representing the Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively, and embodying fundamental values such as inclusion, resilience, and love for nature. Milo in particular, who uses his tail to walk, becomes a metaphor for how obstacles can be transformed into opportunities and stepping stones toward new achievements.

The journey toward the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games actually began several weeks ago, on November 26, 2025, with the traditional lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame in Olympia, Greece. Once it arrived in Rome, the flame set off on an exciting journey across Italy, traveling through 20 regions, stopping at 60 locations, covering more than 12,000 kilometers, and involving 10,001 torchbearers, before finally reaching Milan. The Opening Ceremony of the Games will take place on Friday, February 6, at the Meazza Stadium, an exceptional venue that will also host performances by two world-renowned artists, Mariah Carey and Laura Pausini, who will take center stage with some of their most iconic songs. The event will conclude on February 22 at the Verona Arena, another iconic venue symbolizing Italian art, culture, and sport, renowned and admired around the world.

The competitions will take place in various mountain locations across Lombardy, Veneto, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and Trentino–Alto Adige: this is an exceptional opportunity to showcase to Italian and, above all, international audiences some of the country’s most renowned ski destinations. Milan and all the host venues, together with the Milan–Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee, have been engaged for over six years in a complex preparation process, with targeted investments aimed not only at upgrading existing infrastructure but also at building new facilities and services. This commitment is designed to generate lasting benefits, fostering development that extends beyond the Olympic event itself and fits into a long-term strategic vision.

The expected tourist flow will be particularly high, it is therefore essential to plan well in advance in order not to miss the opportunity to take part in this extraordinary event. Early planning is crucial both to secure access to individual competitions and to identify the most convenient and functional accommodation in the city. In this context, Hotel VIU Milan represents a strategic choice: thanks to its ideal location, it allows guests to avoid traffic in the most congested central areas while ensuring quick and easy connections to all the main event venues and Milan’s key points of interest.