All eyes are on Italy as it prepares to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking a significant event in European sports history. The games will take place in both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, an unprecedented arrangement for the Olympics. Notably, this will be the first time under the leadership of International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, and Italy is hosting the Winter Games for the third time.
Expect 16 sports with a total of 116 medals up for grabs. Additionally, a new sport, ski mountaineering, will make its Olympic debut, and for the first time since 2014, NHL players will compete in the games.
With the opening ceremony just around the corner, here’s what you need to know about this year’s Winter Olympics.
Which city will host the 2026 Olympics?
On June 24, 2019, the IOC awarded the Winter Olympics to the joint bid from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Interestingly, Italy’s bid beat out Sweden’s proposal with Stockholm and Are. This will be a first for Olympics being co-hosted by two cities.
The opening ceremony is set for Stadio San Siro in Milan, the largest stadium in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. In contrast, the closing ceremony will occur at the historic Verona Arena in Rome.
When does it begin?
The Winter Olympics are set to officially open on February 6, concluding on February 22. The first medals will be awarded on February 7 in several events, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, speed skating, ski jumping, and snowboarding.
How to watch?
NBC will broadcast select events on its cable channel and will also live stream everything on Peacock.
What do you expect?
These Winter Olympics will be particularly significant as it’s the first time they’re held in Europe since Turin in 2006. The United States, while sending athletes, hasn’t typically dominated winter sports like it does in summer. Last time, the U.S. ranked third in total medals at the 2022 Beijing Games, tying for golds with China, while Norway and Germany have recently been the strongest competitors in winter events.
In terms of participation, athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete under their national flags due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and they will instead enter as neutral competitors. Excitingly, countries like Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates will be making their Winter Olympics debut.
