Attending Milan 2026 Winter Olympics? Here’s All You Need To Know

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be a celebration of sport, culture, and Italian excellence, bringing together the urban and the alpine. Whether you’re heading to Milan for the ice events or making your way to Cortina for some mountain thrills, this trip promises to be one for the books.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are all about Italian contrasts: Milan, with its stylish cityscape, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with its breathtaking mountains. Together, they’ll host the Winter Games, making use of their natural and architectural gems to create unforgettable settings for each event.

Milan: The Urban Winter Wonderland

Milan, best known in Italy for its art, fashion, and impeccable sense of style, will serve as the hub for indoor ice sports. Expect to see plenty of stunning arenas, along with the city’s famous blend of modernity and tradition. Here are the key venues in Milan:

Mediolanum Forum Assago

Events: Figure skating, Short-track speed skating
What to Expect: Just outside the city center, this venue has hosted everything from Madonna concerts to major sporting events. In 2026, it will transform into the elegant stage for figure skating, where stars like Ilia Malinin and Kaori Sakamoto will attempt to redefine gravity. The short-track speed skaters will bring their own brand of chaos, with Italy’s own Arianna Fontana likely leading the charge.

PalaItalia Santa Giulia

Events: Ice hockey
What to Expect: Milan’s brand-new, state-of-the-art hockey arena, built specifically for the Olympics, will be the battleground for some of the fiercest rivalries in the sport. Expect Team USA vs. Canada, sold-out crowds, and plenty of late-night drama as players like Connor Bedard and Cale Makar take center stage.

Fiera Milano Rho

Events: Speed skating
What to Expect: Originally planned for Baselga di Piné, the speed skating venue has been relocated to Fiera Milano Rho, one of Europe’s largest exhibition centers. Athletes will be chasing Olympic records at breakneck speeds, with Dutch skaters like Ireen Wüst and Thomas Krol likely to dominate.

Palazzo delle Scintille

Events: Ice hockey (second venue)
What to Expect: A stunning historic building turned hockey battleground. This secondary venue will host group-stage matchups and key knockout games, making it a must-visit for any hockey fan in Milan.

Cortina d’Ampezzo: Queen of the Dolomites

Meanwhile, Cortina d’Ampezzo, often called the “Queen of the Dolomites,” will be the Italian playground for outdoor alpine events. If you’ve never heard of Cortina, prepare for a postcard-perfect town surrounded by jagged peaks and world-class ski slopes. Here’s where the mountain magic will happen:

Olympia delle Tofane

Events: Women’s alpine skiing (downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom)
What to Expect: Expect sheer speed and high-stakes drama as the world’s top skiers take on one of the most legendary slopes in the sport. Mikaela Shiffrin and Sofia Goggia will be the ones to watch, racing down the course at 130 km/h in events that last mere seconds but decide Olympic history.

Eugenio Monti Sliding Center

Events: Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton
What to Expect: This track has a history of producing terrifying speeds and razor-thin finishes. Picture sleds flying down the ice at over 140 km/h, with athletes like Francesco Friedrich (bobsleigh) and Jacqueline Lölling (skeleton) battling for gold. However, due to ongoing venue concerns, Lake Placid, New York, has been identified as a backup location.

Beyond Milan and Cortina: The Other Olympic Hubs

Bormio’s Stelvio Slope

Events: Men’s alpine skiing
What to Expect: One of the toughest and most technical downhill courses in the world. This is where Olympic champions are made—or broken. The world’s best speed skiers, including Marco Odermatt and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, will be gunning for gold in one of the most high-adrenaline events of the Games.

Livigno Snowpark

Events: Freestyle skiing, Snowboarding
What to Expect: The coolest venue at the Olympics, both literally and culturally. Expect gravity-defying tricks, massive jumps, and style for days as athletes like Eileen Gu (freestyle skiing) and Chloe Kim (snowboarding) bring the X-Games energy to the Olympic stage.

Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Val di Fiemme

Events: Cross-country skiing, Nordic combined
What to Expect: If endurance sports are your thing, this is where the action is. The Nordic combined event will be especially intense, with Norwegian and German athletes battling for supremacy in a test of both skiing and ski jumping skill.

Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium

Events: Ski jumping, Nordic combined ski jumping
What to Expect: Skiers launching themselves off a 120-meter ramp, flying through the air in moments of pure Olympic madness. Expect Japan, Austria, and Poland to be among the medal favorites.

Anterselva Biathlon Arena

Events: Biathlon
What to Expect: Ski fast. Shoot clean. Win gold. That’s the formula at one of the most iconic biathlon venues in the world, where Italy, Germany, and Norway will fight for podium spots in an event that combines precision shooting with endurance skiing.

Verona Arena

Events: Closing Ceremony
What to Expect: There’s no more dramatic place to end the Winter Olympics than inside a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater. The Closing Ceremony will blend history, sport, and Italian culture, creating a spectacle worthy of Olympic legend.

If you’re traveling all the way to Italy for the Winter Olympics, you’ll need tickets—preferably to the most exciting events. Ticket sales for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will officially open in April 2025, and it’s important to act fast. Olympic tickets are known to sell out quickly, especially for events like figure skating, ice hockey, and alpine skiing.

Tickets will be available through the official Olympic website, and you can register now to get an immediate notification for when tickets will go on sale.

For international visitors, there will likely be authorized resellers offering packages that include both tickets and accommodations. Make sure to stick with official channels to avoid scams.

Prices will vary widely depending on the event and seating, with high-demand events like figure skating finals and ice hockey gold medal matches fetching higher prices. On the other hand, less popular events or preliminary rounds, like curling and early biathlon races, may offer more affordable options.

Milan’s Malpensa Airport (MXP) will be your primary point of entry. With direct flights from major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, getting to Milan has never been easier. Malpensa is a modern airport with plenty of transportation options to take you into the city center.

Once you land at Malpensa, hop on the Malpensa Express, a quick and efficient train that gets you to Milano Centrale in about 50 minutes. From there, you’ll be right in the heart of the city, just steps away from the Duomo and other famous landmarks.

For those arriving from European cities, Linate Airport (LIN) is the more convenient choice, as it’s located just 20 minutes from the city center. If you’re flying budget, you may land at Orio al Serio (BGY) near Bergamo, a bit farther out but well-connected by bus and train.

While Milan is buzzing with city energy, getting to the alpine wonderland of Cortina d’Ampezzo is a bit more of a journey. The most scenic option is to take the train from Milano Centrale to Calalzo di Cadore, the nearest station to Cortina, followed by a short bus or taxi ride to the town itself.

Alternatively, for those seeking more convenience, Olympic shuttle services will likely run between Milan and Cortina, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey for spectators eager to catch alpine events.

If you’re up for a road trip, rent a car and enjoy a scenic drive through the Italian Alps. The trip from Milan to Cortina takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic and weather, and is filled with jaw-dropping views of the snow-covered peaks.

The million-dollar question: should you stay in Milan or Cortina? The answer depends on what kind of experience you’re after.

Milan: Where Elegance Meets Action

Milan offers a wide range of accommodations to fit any style, whether you’re looking to splurge on a luxury hotel or find something more budget-friendly.

• Luxury: Hotel Principe di Savoia or Bulgari Hotel Milan for top-tier elegance, steps from the city’s best attractions.
• Mid-range: The Square Milano Duomo or NH Collection Milano President provide great comfort in the heart of Milan without breaking the bank.
• Budget: Ostello Bello Grande for travelers on a tighter budget, offering a social atmosphere and excellent location near Milano Centrale.

Cortina: Cozy Alpine Retreat

Cortina’s accommodation options may be fewer, but they’re no less charming. For luxury travelers, Cristallo, A Luxury Collection Resort offers breathtaking views and top-notch service. For something a little more modest yet cozy, Hotel de la Poste or Hotel Villa Blu provide warm, inviting mountain vibes at a more reasonable price point.

Wherever you choose to stay, book early—accommodations will fill up quickly, especially in Cortina where rooms are limited.

Milan is a city that never stops, and while the Winter Games will be the highlight, there’s plenty more to explore beyond the Olympic venues.

Milan Must-Dos

Here you will find a dedicated article to the best of what the city can offer you. Your unmissable sights will be:

• The Duomo: Milan’s most famous landmark, and yes, you can climb to the rooftop for panoramic views.
• The Last Supper: Don’t miss Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, housed in Santa Maria delle Grazie. Pro tip: book tickets well in advance.
• Shopping: From high-end designer stores on Via Montenapoleone to vintage finds in Brera, Milan is a shopping mecca.

Cortina d’Ampezzo & Dolomites Magic

In Cortina, the beauty of the Dolomites is unmatched. Spend a day exploring the town’s luxury boutiques or indulge in the hearty mountain cuisine at local trattorias. And if you’re feeling adventurous, take a snowshoeing or hiking excursion into the snowy peaks, where you can experience the stunning alpine landscapes firsthand.

If you’d like to explore a bit more, here’s a dedicated travel guide to the Dolomites.

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Tags: Milan 2026 Winter Olympics; Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 info