While winter chills sweep across northern Italy, the world’s attention turns to the remarkable 2026 Winter Olympics, jointly hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. For the first time in history, the Winter Games will officially be shared between two cities, with events scattered across roughly 8,500 square miles. The distance between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo is more than 250 miles, making this the most geographically spread-out Winter Olympics ever—a logistical feat that could make even the most organized travel planner shiver.
The 2026 Winter Olympics span 8,500 square miles as Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo co-host the most wide-ranging Winter Games ever.
Competition venues span 15 locations, from the sleek cityscape of Milan to the mountainous terrains of Bormio and Livigno. Milan will be buzzing with activity as it hosts indoor ice events, like hockey and figure skating, while Cortina d’Ampezzo draws thrill-seekers to its renowned sliding courses for bobsled and luge. The Games will feature a record-breaking 16 sports in total, the highest number ever for the Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, Bormio is set for men’s Alpine skiing, and Livigno will buzz with gravity-defying feats in freestyle and snowboarding.
This monumental event expects around 2,900 athletes representing over 90 nations. The United States is sending its largest Winter Olympics team ever—232 athletes—surpassing its previous record. Excitingly, women will make up nearly half of all competitors, a significant leap toward gender balance.
There’s also a record-setting 116 medal events, with eight new ones debuting, including the much-anticipated women’s doubles in luge and adrenaline-charged dual moguls for both men and women in freestyle skiing.
History and modernity intertwine as more than 90 percent of the competition venues are existing or temporary, with some cherished sites in Cortina reused from the iconic 1956 Games. The opening ceremony on February 6 at Milan’s San Siro Stadium promises grandeur, while tens of thousands—if not millions—will watch from afar thanks to NBC’s staggering 3,200 hours of coverage and a bustling team of 1,000 employees in Italy alone.
In these Olympics, tradition and innovation glide hand in hand, with sustainability in mind and a sprawling backdrop worthy of a global stage. As excitement builds, fans, athletes, and even the most casual ice skaters are set for a memorable, streaming-packed spectacle.
