The Olympics stand as the most prestigious sporting event worldwide.
Every two years, athletes from hundreds of nations gather in a single location, alternating between summer and winter Games. They compete for medals and national pride, pushing the world’s top competitors.
Italy is honored to host the 2026 Winter Olympics from February 6 to February 22. This will be Italy’s fourth time hosting the Olympics and its first since 2006.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
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Where are the Olympics in 2026?
The 2026 Olympic Games are taking place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has previously hosted the Olympics, but only the Summer Games. This is the first time Milan is hosting the Olympics, and it is also Cortina d’Ampezzo’s first time hosting the Winter Olympics.
Here’s a list of each time Italy has hosted the Olympics:
| Host city | Year | Summer/Winter |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | 1956 | Winter |
| Rome | 1960 | Summer |
| Turin | 2006 | Winter |
| Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo | 2026 | Winter |
Milano Cortina Olympics venues
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo host 15 Olympic venues. Below is a full list of the sports scheduled at each location.
| Venue | Events |
| Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium | Olympic opening ceremony |
| Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena | Ice hockey, para ice hockey |
| Milano Ice Park | Ice hockey, speed skating |
| Milano Ice Skating Arena | Figure skating, short track |
| Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium |
Curling, wheelchair curling, Paralympic closing ceremony |
| Cortina Para snowboard Park | Para snowboard |
| Cortina Sliding Centre | Bobsleigh, skeleton, luge |
| Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre | Alpine skiing, para alpine skiing |
| Anterselva Biathlon Arena | Biathlon |
| Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium | Ski jumping, Nordic combined |
| Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium | Cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing |
| Stelvio Ski Centre | Alpine skiing, ski mountaineering |
| Livigno Snow Park | Freestyle skiing, snowboarding |
| Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park | freestyle skiing |
| Verona Olympic Arena | Olympic closing ceremony, Paralympic opening ceremony |
What is the time difference in Italy?
The time difference can significantly affect viewers wanting to watch the Olympic Games. Fortunately, the Winter Games pose less of a challenge for those in the Eastern Time Zone. Italy is six hours ahead of EST and nine hours ahead of Pacific Time.
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics experienced a harsh 14-hour time difference, making viewing difficult. In contrast, the 2026 Games will be more accessible for U.S. fans to watch live without disrupting their sleep routines.
MORE: When will the Olympics be in USA?
How much did the Olympics cost?
Hosting the Olympic Games is a great honor, but it comes with high costs. The organizers of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics have announced an operating budget of approximately “1.7 billion euros” ($1.9 billion).
The International Olympic Committee will provide approximately $1 billion in extra funding for the February 6-22 Games. At the same time, the Italian government is investing over $1 billion in infrastructure projects to enhance access to the venues.
Although this appears substantial, Russia reportedly invested $51 billion to host the 2014 Sochi Games, a cost that is expected to remain an Olympic record for many years to come.
Olympic Village conditions
The Milano Cortina Olympics will welcome thousands of athletes from across the world for the 2026 Winter Games. They’ll stay in one of the six Olympic Villages spread across northern Italy.
The locations include Milan, Livigno, Bormio, Predazzo, Anterselva (Antholz), and Cortina.
It is said that after the games, some villages will be converted into student housing.
