The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy Could Be the Most Stylish Games Yet. Here’s How You Can Attend.

Featuring a unique opening ceremony on the Seine, a multitude of new world records, and internet memes that turned the games into the world’s most heartwarming reality show, the Paris Olympics was truly memorable.

If you missed the major event in 2024, you're in luck: Your next opportunity to experience the Olympic Games in Europe is just around the corner. Planning for the Milano-Cortina Winter 2026 Olympics is now in full swing. This will mark the fourth time Italy hosts the Olympics (following the 1956 Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin), and the first time in Milan, promising a truly glamorous experience.

Set against the stunning Italian scenery, including the snow-covered Dolomites and historic cities like Milan and Verona, attendees can look forward to a 17-day event filled not only with exceptional athletic performances but also tailored experiences for sports and travel enthusiasts, including exciting excursions, fine dining, premium seating, lounges, and five-star accommodations.

Eager to hit the slopes (or indulge in the luxurious après-ski scene) alongside the world’s most enthusiastic fans, athletes, and travelers? Here’s how to plan your trip to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

When will the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games take place?

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are set to occur from February 6 to 22, 2026. The 2026 Winter Paralympics will follow from March 6 to 15, 2026.

Where will the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games be held?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first-ever games hosted by two cities: Milan and Cortina.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026, in Milan at San Siro, Italy's largest stadium. Events will be held across two regions (Lombardy and Veneto) and various northern Italian cities, including Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo (commonly known as Cortina) in the Dolomites, and Valtellina in the Alps. In a first since 1984, the closing ceremony will occur at a different venue: the Arena di Verona in the historic city of Verona, famed as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

What events are scheduled for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games?

Over 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will participate in 22 events during the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Popular events will include figure skating, ice hockey, snowboarding, ski jumping, bobsledding, cross-country skiing, and luging, with ski mountaineering set to debut at the Olympics.

How to purchase tickets for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Excited to grab your tickets? You can now register for the official 2026 Winter Olympics ticket lottery until January 2025, which will allocate time slots for ticket purchases. Fans will be informed of their purchasing window as early as January 2025, with sales commencing in February. You can register for the lottery and buy tickets online.

If you miss out on the initial ticket lottery, general tickets for both the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be available for purchase starting in April 2025.

Interested in attending Olympic events for free? Volunteer applications for the 2026 Winter Olympics will open in September 2024. Here’s how to apply.

How to arrange travel packages for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

On Location—the same organization responsible for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup—will manage hospitality for the 2026 Winter Games. Their Olympic packages can be customized based on guests' preferred length of stay and selected sporting events, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can also add extra travel experiences, such as tours of Milan’s fashion history, rides along the Venetian canals, or skiing at premier resorts in the Dolomites.

2026 Winter Olympic package options include:

• Livigno: Includes single-day tickets for two sporting events in Livigno, along with an overnight stay.
• Milan: Offers a three-night stay in Milan and tickets to three sporting events.
• Cortina: Provides a three-night stay in Cortina and tickets to three sporting events.

On Location will also present a package for those looking to blend the Olympics with tourist activities. Guests can book three-night mountain stays with access to sporting events, followed by two-night city breaks focusing on non-sporting activities like dining and tours in Venice and Milan. Until September 30, 2024, guests can secure a refundable 200-euro presale deposit for priority access to On Location’s packages before they are available to the general public on November 16, 2024—enhancing fans' chances of securing entry to popular events and sought-after hotels.

Additional experiences and accommodations for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

On Location packages can be tailored to include event tickets, access to hospitality lounges, special events, private viewing boxes, gourmet dining, and transportation across the various venues in northern Italy. Guests can choose stays at some of the region's most exciting hotels and resorts, from iconic fashion district properties like the Ferragamo-owned Portrait Milano to La Fiorida, a charming farm stay in the Alps, and the Dolomites’ Rifugio Scoiattoli mountain lodge, offering breathtaking views of Cinque Torri and one of the world’s highest hot tubs.