A Quick Guide to Winter Olympics 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Key takeaways: 

• Winter Olympics 2026 takes place in Italy (Milan + Cortina d’Ampezzo) from Feb 6–22, 2026.

• Events are split: Milan = ice sports, Cortina & nearby valleys = mountain/snow sports (incl. ski mountaineering debut).

• Book stays early, especially for Cortina, as accommodation is limited and prices rise fast.

• Use an Italy eSIM to stay connected for maps, transport, live updates, and avoid expensive roaming.

Excitement is building around the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and your travel plans might be part of that wave. I’ve pulled together everything you’ll want to know, from host cities to must-see events, and I’ll also share practical travel tips to help you navigate Milan and Cortina with ease.

A Quick History of the Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics began in 1924, and Italy has already hosted them twice, first in the elegant town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956 and later in the lively city of Turin in 2006. Now, history takes an exciting turn as the 2026 Games become the first to feature two official host cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Here’s a fun highlight to note. The 2026 edition will include a record-breaking 116 medal events, making it the largest Winter Games ever held.

Overview of Winter Olympics 2026: Host Cities, Dates, and Venues

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22 and March 6 to 15 for the Paralympics. They’ll take place across multiple venues in northern Italy using a cluster approach: Milan will host the ice events, and Cortina and surrounding regions will host mountain and snow sports.

Here are some key venues:

1. Milan cluster: Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, and Short track.

The Milan cluster will host indoor ice sports from February 6 to 22, 2026. Ice hockey matches are scheduled throughout the day, figure skating sessions mostly in the evenings, and short track speed skating has heats in the morning and finals in the evening. The cluster offers easy access to metro, tram, and bus connections across the city.

2. Cortina / Valtellina / Fiemme valleys: Alpine Skiing, Ski Mountaineering (making its Olympic debut), Freestyle, and Snowboarding.

The mountain venues in Cortina, Valtellina, and Fiemme valleys will run events from February 6 to 22, 2026, with alpine skiing competitions typically in the morning and early afternoon. Ski mountaineering races, making their Olympic debut, take place in both morning and afternoon sessions, while freestyle and snowboarding events are scheduled throughout the day on challenging mountain courses.

Accommodation and Transportation Advice

If you’re heading to the next Olympics in 2026, booking your stay early is essential. 

In Milan, where the opening and closing ceremonies take place, neighborhoods near Centrale Station, Porta Garibaldi, or the Duomo area are ideal for easy access to metros, trams, and buses. These neighborhoods are bustling with shops, restaurants, and cultural sites, making it easy to explore the city while staying close to the main Olympic venues.

For mountain events in Cortina d’Ampezzo, accommodation is more limited and fills up fast. Look at hotels in the area of Cortina d’Ampezzo or nearby towns for convenient access to ski lifts and alpine event venues. Smaller nearby villages like San Vito di Cadore or Dobbiaco can offer alternative stays, though you’ll need to check shuttle or taxi options to reach Cortina.

How to Access the Internet During the Games

When you’re traveling to Italy for the Winter Olympics 2026, staying connected isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Roaming matters more than you might think, but with an eSIM Italy, you can get data from $4.50 for 1 GB up to $35 for 20 GB for 30 days. From navigating packed venues and booking last-minute transport to getting real-time event updates, reliable data keeps you in control.

You can’t afford to depend on slow or unstable hotel WiFi when every second counts. 

Here’s how ConnectedYou Italy eSIM keeps you connected effortlessly in Italy:

• Effortless Setup: No SIM swaps or waiting in airport lines. Simply scan, long-press, or enter eSIM details to activate. It is fast and hassle-free.

• Reliable Coverage and Speed: Stay connected on 4G or 5G while exploring Rome, Venice, Florence, and even remote Tuscan villages for navigation, streaming, or work.

• Local Connectivity from Day One: Use Italy’s networks immediately without visiting tourist SIM counters.

• Big Savings on Roaming: Reduce roaming fees by up to 90%.

• Keep Your Home Number: Use your regular SIM for calls and SMS while the eSIM handles your data.

• Instant Top-Ups: Running low on data? Recharge in just a few taps.

Popular Italy eSIM plans:

Activation steps:

• On iPhone: See the step-by-step guide on activating your eSIM for iPhone.

• On Android: Follow the Android eSIM setup instructions.

You can follow the step-by-step instructions in the above guide to install and activate your eSIM Italy.

Traveling to Italy for the Winter Olympics

Getting there: Milan’s airports, Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN), handle numerous international flights, making the city an easy entry point. From there, Cortina is best reached by train or bus from Venice (VCE) or Verona (VRN), with local shuttles or car rentals covering the final leg.

Once you arrive: Use your Italy eSIM to check transit schedules, ride shares, or regional passes. Traffic near ceremonies and major venues will be heavy, so allow extra time for travel.

Tip: If you plan to travel between Milan and the mountain venues in Cortina during the Olympics, pack light to make moving around easier. For heavier luggage or sports gear, consider using a luggage-delivery service, which can transport your bags directly from your hotel in Milan to your accommodation in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This lets you travel comfortably without carrying everything yourself and ensures your belongings arrive safely and on time.

Tips for Getting Around Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo

In Milan: Getting around Milan is generally straightforward thanks to its efficient public transit network. The city is well served by metros, trams, and buses, with the M1 (red line) and M3 (yellow line) covering most major attractions and transit hubs.

To make your travel smoother, use apps like ATM Milano or Google Maps for real-time updates on schedules and delays, enabled by an Italy eSIM for seamless data access. Keep in mind that mornings and evenings can be crowded during rush hours, so plan extra travel time if you need to reach an event on schedule.

Tickets can be purchased at stations or through official apps, with options ranging from single rides to multi-day passes, depending on your stay.

In Cortina: In Cortina d’Ampezzo, travel is more regional and often depends on buses, gondolas, or ski-shuttle services. Companies like Dolomiti Bus connect Cortina with surrounding valleys, ski areas, and towns, so checking schedules ahead of time is essential.

Gondolas such as Faloria and Tofana are convenient for accessing skiing or sightseeing locations quickly. 

In remote areas where WiFi can be unreliable, having an active Italy eSIM ensures you can check maps, transport schedules, and last-minute updates without interruption.

For additional flexibility, consider renting a car or using local ride-sharing services, especially for early morning or late-night trips when public transport is limited.

General tip: Offline maps can be useful when connectivity dips. But with your Italy eSIM sorted, you’ll have peace of mind.

Top Events and What to Watch For

For action-packed moments, keep an eye on:

1. Ski Mountaineering and Alpine Downhill

The Winter Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo and nearby mountain areas in northern Italy. One of the new sports this year is ski mountaineering, where athletes climb up snowy slopes and then race back down, testing both their strength and speed.

Another crowd favorite is alpine downhill skiing, a fast-paced event where skiers race down steep hills at high speeds, and the winner is often decided by just fractions of a second. Both sports promise exciting, edge-of-your-seat moments for fans watching live or on TV.

2. Ice Hockey Finals

Scheduled for February 21–22, 2026, in Milan, the ice hockey finals promise intense competition between top national teams such as the U.S. and Canada. With high stakes, potential overtime, and last-minute goals, these matches are often some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments of the Games.

3. Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding

Running throughout the Games in mountain venues like Livigno, these events showcase high-flying tricks, halfpipe runs, and big-air jumps. They are some of the most visually spectacular and adrenaline-filled competitions, making them must-watch for fans seeking exhilarating action.

4. Opening Ceremony

Taking place on February 6, 2026, in Milan, the opening ceremony highlights Italy’s culture, music, and architecture. It offers a grand, immersive start to the Olympics, setting the tone for the excitement and energy of the Games.

5. Closing Ceremony

Held on February 22, 2026, in Verona, the closing ceremony celebrates the athletes’ achievements and the conclusion of the Games. Against the backdrop of historic landmarks, it delivers a memorable finale that blends sport, culture, and Italian heritage.

Costs and Budget at the Winter Olympics

Attending the Games can be pricey, but with smart planning, you’ll get value. Here are some ballparks:

1. Tickets:

Tickets for many sporting events at the 2026 Winter Olympics start at about €30 for standard sessions. For more premium sessions (for example, in high‑demand sports), you can expect to pay well over €150, and in some hospitality / VIP cases, the cost may exceed €2,000+. For example, the official pricing list states that for alpine skiing sessions, Category A tickets are €220 and Category B tickets are €100.

2. Accommodation:

Accommodation during the Games is seeing large cost increases. For the Milan / Cortina region, a study found that for two people staying two nights, average expenditure rose to around €1,275 for Milan/Val di Fiemme and more than €2,300 in Cortina for the same two nights. Travel‑package rates that combine hotel, breakfast, and some services for the Games show from around US $9,975 (≈ €9,000) per person for six nights in a 5‑star Milan hotel.

3. Meals and local transport:

While specific Games‑period meal and transport cost data are more limited, for everyday visits in Italy, modest dining might cost around €30‑€60 per day, and local transit passes around €10‑€15 per day in non‑peak tourist periods. During the Games, you should expect somewhat higher costs due to demand and location.

4. Data and connectivity: 

With your Italy eSIM in place, you avoid up to 90% data roaming fees or unreliable hotel WiFi. That’s a budget-smart win.

Last-Minute Winter Olympics Checklist

• Book travel and stay as soon as you confirm your dates.

• Activate your Italy eSIM before you travel so you arrive ready to go.

• Pack appropriate clothing: layers for mountain cold, and casual smart wear for Milan.

• Download venue apps and transport apps while you have full data coverage.

• Set a schedule of top events you want to see and note the venue locations.

• Charge your devices, and bring a portable power bank because you’ll be using your phone a lot.

• Make sure your travel insurance covers winter sports venues and transport delays.