Where is the Winter Olympics 2026? Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Introduction: Why ‘where is the Winter Olympics 2026’ matters

As fans, athletes and host communities ask “where is the Winter Olympics 2026”, the answer shapes planning for sport, travel and local economies. The location of an Olympic Games determines venue preparations, transport upgrades and tourism flows, making the host selection a matter of international interest. For Australians planning travel or following athletes, knowing the host cities helps with logistics, broadcast schedules and ticketing.

Main details: Host cities, dates and context

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be staged in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Officially branded as Milan–Cortina 2026, the Games are scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February 2026. Italy won the right to host in 2019 with a bid that combines a major northern city and iconic Alpine resorts.

The Milan–Cortina model spreads events across metropolitan and mountain venues, using existing facilities where possible and upgrading infrastructure to meet Olympic standards. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a well-known winter-sport resort with a long Olympic history, while Milan offers transport links, media infrastructure and spectator capacity typical of a major European city. Additional competition sites are planned across other locations in northern Italy to accommodate alpine, nordic and sliding sports.

This will be Italy’s third time hosting winter Olympic events: Cortina previously hosted in 1956 and Italy hosted the 2006 Winter Games in Turin. The combined Milan–Cortina approach aims to balance sustainability with audience reach, reducing the need for major new construction by making use of established venues and local know-how.

Conclusion: What the location means for readers

Knowing where the Winter Olympics 2026 will be held is practical for athletes, national sporting bodies, broadcasters and travellers. Milan–Cortina 2026 promises a blend of city spectacle and mountain sport, with implications for travel demand, broadcast timing for Australian audiences and potential opportunities for tourists and volunteers. Looking ahead, organisers say the Games will emphasise legacy and environmental stewardship — themes that will influence how venues are used after the Olympics and how communities benefit in the years that follow.