Milano Cortina 2026: What to Expect from the Next Winter Olympics & New Sports to Watch

Rakesh Rajbhat 12 May 2025

The flame of Olympic anticipation is already burning bright for the next Winter Olympics! Get ready as Italy prepares to host the spectacular Winter Olympics 2026 in the stunning dual settings of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. From February 6 to February 22, 2026, the Milano Cortina Olympics will bring together the world's elite winter athletes for a celebration of skill, speed, and sportsmanship. These 2026 Winter Games promise a unique blend of urban dynamism and alpine majesty, alongside exciting new additions to the Olympic program.

A Tale of Two Cities (and More): The Unique Appeal of Olympic Venues Milan Cortina

A standout feature of the Italy Winter Olympics 2026 is its geographically widespread nature, emphasizing sustainability by utilizing many existing or temporary venues across northern Italy.

• Milan: The global capital of fashion and design will bring its urban sophistication to the Games. Milan is set to host ice sports like figure skating, ice hockey, short track, and speed skating. The iconic San Siro Stadium will be the stage for the grand Opening Ceremony, promising a spectacular start. New facilities like the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena are also being prepared.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo: Known as the "Queen of the Dolomites," Cortina offers breathtaking alpine scenery and a rich Winter Olympic heritage, having hosted the Games in 1956. It will be the hub for many snow and sliding sports, including women's alpine skiing (on the famed Olympia delle Tofane course), bobsled, luge, skeleton, and curling.
• Other Key Regions: The Games will also spread to other renowned winter sport locations:
  • Valtellina (Bormio and Livigno): Bormio's Stelvio slope will challenge the men's alpine skiers, while Livigno will be the playground for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Critically, Bormio will also host the Olympic debut of Ski Mountaineering.
  • Val di Fiemme (Predazzo and Tesero): A traditional hub for Nordic sports, hosting cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping.
  • Anterselva/Antholz: A world-class venue renowned for biathlon.
  • Verona: The historic Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater, will provide a stunning backdrop for the Closing Ceremony.

This decentralized approach aims to showcase the diverse beauty of Northern Italy and create a lasting legacy for the regions involved.

What's New on the Ice and Snow? New Winter Olympic Sports and Disciplines

The Milano Cortina Olympics are set to introduce some thrilling additions and changes:

• Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) - Olympic Debut! This is the most significant new sport, featuring three events: men's sprint, women's sprint, and a mixed-gender relay. "Skimo" is a challenging endurance sport where athletes race up and down mountain courses, alternating between skiing and climbing on foot with skis attached to their backs.
• New Events in Established Sports:
  • Freestyle Skiing: Men's and women's dual moguls will add an exciting head-to-head element.
  • Luge: Women's doubles will make its debut, providing another opportunity for female lugers. (Men's doubles will replace the previous open doubles event).
  • Skeleton: A mixed-gender team event will be introduced.
  • Ski Jumping: A women's large hill individual event is being added, further promoting gender equality in the sport.
• Event Removed: The Alpine mixed team parallel event, which debuted in 2018, will not be on the 2026 program.

These new Winter Olympic sports and events promise fresh excitement and new heroes for fans to follow.

Stars on Ice (and Snow): Athletes to Watch

While it's still early to make definitive predictions for champions at the 2026 Winter Games, we can anticipate thrilling competitions:

• Returning Champions & Established Stars: Many medalists and prominent figures from Beijing 2022 and recent World Championships will likely be vying for glory again. Keep an eye on established names in figure skating, alpine skiing (like Italy's own Federica Brignone or the USA's Mikaela Shiffrin, should they compete), speed skating, and bobsled.
• Rising Talents: Every Olympic cycle sees new stars emerge. The Milano Cortina Olympics will be a platform for young, exciting athletes to make their mark. In ski mountaineering, for instance, European athletes have traditionally dominated, but rising stars from countries like the USA (e.g., Cam Smith, Griffin Briley) are looking to challenge.
• Team [Your Country/Favorite Nations] Winter Olympics 2026: Fans will eagerly follow the progress of their national teams. For Team USA, prospects in sports like speed skating (Jordan Stolz), figure skating (Ilia Malinin), short track (Kristen Santos-Griswold), and freestyle skiing are often strong. With NHL players expected to return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, ice hockey will be a major draw, reigniting fierce rivalries like USA vs. Canada.

Italy's Preparations: Sustainability and Legacy

Milano Cortina 2026 is being planned with a strong emphasis on sustainability and legacy, aligning with the IOC's Olympic Agenda 2020. Key aspects include:

• Utilizing Existing and Temporary Venues: Around 92% of the venues will be existing or temporary, significantly reducing construction costs and environmental impact.
• Renewable Energy: A commitment to powering competition venues with 100% renewable energy.
• Circular Economy Principles: Prioritizing recycled and reusable materials, with targets for recycling event packaging and redistributing surplus food.
• Regional Development: The Games aim to boost local economies, especially in mountain regions, and inspire new generations to engage in winter sports.
• Inclusivity: Initiatives like the Adaptive Winter Sport Programme aim to make winter sports more accessible for people with disabilities.

Despite some reported challenges with costs and specific venue constructions (like the Cortina sliding track), the overarching goal is to deliver a Games model that is both spectacular and responsible.

The Fan Experience: More Than Just Medals (RakeshRajbhat.com Angle)

The Italy Winter Olympics promise an unforgettable experience for fans, whether on-site or following from afar. The Winter Olympics schedule will be packed with thrilling events.

• Digital Engagement: The official Milano Cortina 2026 digital community, "Fan26," offers exclusive news, insights into disciplines, and stories about past champions.
• Immersive Storytelling: This is where a platform like RakeshRajbhat.com can truly enhance the fan journey. Imagine:
  • Inspiring Athlete Stories: Deep dives into the journeys of winter athletes – their training, sacrifices, challenges overcome, and moments of triumph. These narratives of resilience and dedication are often as compelling as the competitions themselves.
  • Olympic History Quizzes: Engaging fans with fun and challenging quizzes about past Winter Olympics, legendary athletes, iconic moments, and the history of different winter sports. This not only entertains but also educates, building a deeper appreciation for the Games.
  • Venue Spotlights & Cultural Insights: Features on the unique appeal of Milan, Cortina, and other host regions, helping fans connect with the Italian culture surrounding the Games.
  • Interactive "Follow Your Team" Features: Updates, schedules, and community discussions tailored to fans of specific national teams.

Looking Forward to a Winter Spectacle

The Winter Olympics 2026 in Milano Cortina are shaping up to be a remarkable event. The combination of Italy's passion for sport, stunning landscapes, rich culture, commitment to sustainability, and the introduction of exciting new disciplines will create a truly memorable Games. It’s more than just a competition; it’s a global celebration that will inspire and unite.

Mark your calendars and get ready to witness the magic of the next Winter Olympics!