The 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, officially commencing today with a grand opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, are poised to be a landmark event. These Games, hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, represent a new approach to hosting the Olympics, utilizing multiple venues and regions.

A Multi-City Olympic Experience

Unlike previous Games concentrated in a single city, Milano Cortina 2026 will span several locations including Anterselva/Antholz, Bormio, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Milano, Predazzo, Tesero, and Verona. This distributed model aims to showcase more of Italy’s diverse landscapes and infrastructure. The opening ceremony itself will extend beyond Milan, with events planned in Predazzo and Livigno.

Slovakian Representation at the Games

Slovakia will be represented by Tomáš Tatar, a hockey player, and Viktória Čerňanská, a bobsledder, as flag bearers. Tatar will carry the flag at the San Siro stadium in Milan, while Čerňanská will represent Slovakia in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Ticketing and Accessing the Games

Tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are exclusively available through the official Milano Cortina 2026 ticketing website. Opportunities exist to purchase tickets in groups for discounts, and special promotions, such as the Valtellina Promo offering two-for-one tickets on select snowboarding and freestyle skiing events, are available. The official app, launching in December 2025, will provide final seat assignments by December 2025.

Paralympic Winter Games Spotlight

The Paralympic Winter Games will follow the Olympic Games, taking place from March 6th to 15th, 2026. Tickets for the Paralympic Games are as well available, with information on venues and spectator guides accessible on the official website.

Safety and Travel Considerations

With a large influx of visitors expected, increased security measures and potential travel restrictions will be in place throughout the host regions. Travelers are advised to stay informed about any updates or changes to travel arrangements.

Disciplines on Display

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games will feature a wide range of winter sports, including Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboard, and Speed Skating.