Next Winter Olympic Games location and overview
The next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina, Italy, officially known as the Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The Games are scheduled for February 6–22, 2026. Milano Cortina 2026 will be the second Olympic Games hosted by Italy and follows the Summer Olympics Paris 2024. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awards the Games up to several years in advance; for Milano Cortina 2026, the IOC selected the Italian bid in June 2019. These will be the first Winter Games under the IOC Presidency of IOC President Thomas Bach’s successor, with updated governance and sustainability policies applied.
Host city selection process
Choosing where the next Winter Olympic Games will be held follows a structured, multi-phase process managed by the IOC. The process is designed to align with Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, emphasizing sustainability, cost control, and long-term benefits for host regions.
Phases of selection
- Call for candidature and invitation: The IOC invites National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to submit candidature files.
- Candidature phase: Selected cities or regions develop detailed plans covering venues, infrastructure, transport, legacy, and sustainability.
- Evaluation Commission review: The IOC Evaluation Commission conducts on-site visits, interviews, and risk assessments, then produces a comparative report.
- Election by the IOC Session: The host is elected by majority vote during an IOC Session, often several years before the event.
Transparency and feasibility are central criteria; organizers must demonstrate clear governance, public support, and risk mitigation. The framework has evolved to favor fewer new builds and greater use of existing facilities.
Venue and infrastructure details for Milano Cortina 2026
The Milano Cortina 2026 bid organizes events across multiple zones to leverage existing world-class venues while limiting new construction.
Competition clusters and venues
| Cluster / City | Sport(s) | Venue (competition area) | Status / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | Alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle skiing | Kandahar-Faloria, Tre Ponti, Ciaslat | Historic Olympic venues, upgrades |
| Milano | Ice hockey, curling | Mediolanum Forum, San Siro area | Existing indoor arenas |
| Frerieres (Livigno) | Freestyle skiing, snowboarding | Various slopes and parks | Mountain terrain parks |
| Val di Fiemme | Ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country | Trampolino dal Ben, Lago di Tesero | Existing ski stadiums |
| Tesero | Biathlon | Stadio del Fondo | Existing biathlon venue |
| Bormio (men’s alpine speed events) | Alpine skiing (speed) | Stelvio course | Iconic mountain course, limited new work |
| Other alpine events | Alpine skiing | Most events in Cortina area | Upgrades and logistics for transport |
Notably, the organizing committee emphasizes “reduce, reuse, recycle”: fewer new venues than in many prior editions, with upgrades to existing facilities and temporary structures where needed. Transport plans focus on high-speed rail linking Milano and Cortina, aiming to minimize vehicle emissions and travel times.
Event timeline and key milestones
Milano Cortina 2026 follows an established pre-Olympic schedule common for recent Winter Games. Major milestones include:
| Period | Milestone | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Host city election (Milano Cortina) | Official start of planning and funding commitments |
| 2020–2023 | Detailed design, venue upgrades, sponsorships | Stabilize costs, finalize logistics |
| 2024–2025 | Construction, testing events, operational rehearsals | Ensure venues and services meet standards |
| Feb 2026 | Games period (Feb 6–22) | Competition and ceremonies |
| 2026–2027 | Legacy and post-Games use plans | Transition venues to community and tourism use |
What to expect at Milano Cortina 2026
Key features planned for the next Winter Olympic Games include:
- Emphasis on compact geography: events clustered in northern Italy to reduce athlete and spectator travel times.
- Sustainability measures: energy-efficient venues, renewable energy inputs, and waste reduction targets aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020+5.
- Technology and broadcast upgrades: enhanced connectivity, improved timing and scoring systems, and broader digital engagement.
- Legacy focus: plans to repurpose venues for community sport, tourism, and training beyond 2026.
Risks such as cost overruns and weather variability remain typical considerations for Winter Games; the organizers aim to mitigate these through detailed contingency planning and phased investment.
How the next Winter Games differ from recent editions
Compared with recent Winter Olympics, the Milano Cortina 2026 bid highlights tighter geographic clustering, larger use of existing facilities, and stronger legacy planning from earlier stages. Organizers point to reduced new construction and a focus on operational efficiency as distinguishing elements. The timing follows a Summer Olympic year (Paris 2024), continuing the adjusted multi-year cycle established by the IOC to allow better planning and stakeholder alignment.
Frequently asked questions about the next Winter Olympics
When and where will the next Winter Olympic Games be held?
The next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milano and Cortina, Italy, from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
How is the host city chosen?
The IOC selects host cities through a multi-phase process that includes candidature periods, evaluations, and an election by the IOC Session, guided by criteria focused on sustainability, cost management, and long-term benefits.
What is the current status of preparations?
As of now, venue upgrades, transport planning, and sponsorship agreements are under way. Construction and operational rehearsals are scheduled for 2024–2025.
Will there be new venues or mostly upgrades?
The plan emphasizes upgrades to existing venues and limited new construction, consistent with the IOC’s sustainability and cost-control priorities.
Useful comparison: recent Winter Olympic host cities and key metrics
| Edition | Host City | Year | Key Venue Approach | Noted Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyeongChang | South Korea | 2018 | New builds plus upgrades | Cold weather logistics, cost |
| Sochi | Russia | 2014 | Large new coastal cluster | Cost overruns, legacy use |
| Turin | Italy | 2006 | Aggressive reuse | Compact mountains, transport strain |
| Milano Cortina | Italy | 2026 | High reuse, geographic clustering | Weather, scale of upgrades |
Milano Cortina 2026 aims to balance high-performance competition with practical reuse and legacy, building on lessons from recent editions.
Key takeaways
- The next Winter Olympic Games will be Milano Cortina 2026, held in Italy from February 6–22, 2026.
- The host was selected in 2019 through the IOC’s established candidature and evaluation process.
- Venue strategy prioritizes upgrades and clustering to control costs and limit new builds.
- Expect a compact Games with strong emphasis on sustainability, technology, and post-Games legacy.
- Ongoing planning, phased construction, and testing events will shape the path to 2026.