Exploring 2026 Winter Olympics Venues: From Milan to Cortina

With the 2026 Winter Olympics fast approaching, anticipation builds for an event that promises a unique and extensive experience across northern Italy. The Games will be spread over diverse venues, making them the most geographically expansive Winter Olympics to date.

Overview of Olympic Venues

• Location Highlights: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are the two primary clusters, located over 250 miles apart.
• Closing Ceremony: Will occur in Verona, a UNESCO world heritage site.
• Legacy and Infrastructure: Most venues will utilize existing facilities, though some will undergo renovations and new constructions.

Milan Venues

• San Siro Stadium: The opening ceremony will be held at this iconic 80,000-seat venue. Notably, it is set for demolition post-Games.
• Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena: A new 16,000-seat arena under construction to host hockey contests, expected to be finished by early January 2026.
• Ice Park: Located within the Fiera Milano exhibition center, it will include temporary structures for speed skating and ice hockey events.
• Ice Skating Arena: Hosting short-track speed skating and figure skating, the Forum di Milano complements various sporting events.

Cortina Venues

• Tofane Alpine Skiing Center: Known for its breathtaking beauty, it will host women’s Alpine skiing, having previously held the Winter Olympics in 1956.
• Curling Olympic Stadium: A legacy venue from the 1956 Games, it will host the curling competitions.
• Cortina Sliding Center: Recently rebuilt at a cost of $123 million, it will host bobsled, luge, and skeleton events.

Bormio and Other Locations

• Stelvio Ski Center: Renowned for its challenging course, it will host men’s Alpine skiing and ski mountaineering, marking the latter’s Olympic debut.
• Livigno: This vibrant town will feature snowboarding and freestyle skiing at its purpose-built parks.
• Predazzo: A venue for ski jumping events, surrounded by stunning Dolomite peaks.
• Tesero: Close to Predazzo, it will host cross-country skiing events in a stadium with a rich history.
• Anterselva: Known for its biathlon arena, this venue boasts extensive tracks and a heritage in the sport.

Closing Event in Verona

The grand closing ceremony on February 22, 2026, will take place in the historic Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater that has hosted performances for nearly 2,000 years. Its capacity will accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators at this remarkable event.

As the Games draw near, excitement builds around the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, promising a memorable experience for athletes and visitors alike.