As the Paris Olympics and Paralympics come to a close, all attention turns to Italy, which will host the XXV Olympic Winter Games, known as “Milano Cortina 2026,” in 2026. Italy last held the Winter Olympics in 2006 in Turin. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Torino Games, and I can honestly say it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I am already planning to attend the Games in 2026, and if you appreciate Italy and sports, you should definitely consider making the trip as well. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 to March 15, 2026. This time, the events are being held in two joint locations: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomite Mountains. Interestingly, Cortina also hosted the Olympic Winter Games back in 1956.
If you are even thinking about attending, the first step is to register for the ticket draw to gain priority access to buy event tickets. I did this a few weeks ago myself. Ticket sales will begin in the winter of 2025, and those who register will be among the first to be notified.
Now is a great time to start planning your trip! You may want to consider using airline points for your tickets, as there is plenty of time to prepare. Hotels are beginning to put together their packages, so this might also be an excellent opportunity to use points. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy member or can transfer points from your American Express Membership Rewards program, you might think about staying at one of the Marriott properties in Milan.
The opening ceremony will take place on February 6, 2026, in Milan at the iconic San Siro, Italy’s largest stadium. Interestingly, the closing ceremony will occur in the beautiful city of Verona at the Arena di Verona, which is renowned for its open-air operas. Events will be spread across the Lombardy and Veneto regions.
We will keep you updated on the latest news, but you can also visit the official website at www.milanocortina2026.org for more information. — Kathy McCabe
