Where are the Winter Olympics 2026 — Host cities, dates and travel tips

You’re wondering: where are the Winter Olympics 2026 and what does that mean if you want to watch the action in person? You’re not alone — with tickets, travel windows and athlete selections coming into focus, searches from Australia have jumped as people plan trips, book flights and check event schedules.

Quick answer: where are the Winter Olympics 2026?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be hosted by Milano Cortina 2026 — a dual‑city Games across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in northern Italy. Competition runs from 6 to 22 February 2026, with events spread across venues in Lombardy and Veneto and some neighbouring provinces. For the official overview see the Milano Cortina 2026 site and the IOC summary.

(Primary keyword included: where are the winter olympics 2026)

Why this question is trending right now

Here’s the thing: the event calendar, ticket release windows and national team selections create natural surges. Right now ticket phases and qualifying competitions are being announced, airlines are opening seasonal routes, and broadcasters are teasing rights and schedules — so many Australians want a concrete answer to where are the winter olympics 2026 so they can plan.

Who’s searching and what they want

Most searches come from Australian sports fans, families planning winter‑season travel, and followers of Aussie athletes. Their knowledge ranges from beginners (just heard the location) to experienced winter‑sports travellers who need venue logistics. The common problems: exact host cities, event dates, where marquee events (opening ceremony, alpine skiing, figure skating) will be held, and how to buy tickets and travel there from Australia.

What to expect across the host area

Milan is the metropolitan hub: ceremonies, ice sports (figure skating, short track) and some indoor events will be in or near the city, which offers international flight connections and major hotels. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the mountain venue for alpine skiing and several outdoor snow sports — it’s a classic alpine resort with dramatic terrain.

• Dates: 6–22 February 2026 (competition window)
• Hosts: Milan (urban) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (mountain)
• Region: Lombardy and Veneto, northern Italy

For venue maps and sport assignments, the official Milano Cortina 2026 website has detailed breakdowns and maps (Milano Cortina 2026). The IOC page also lists dates and overall programme (IOC – Milano Cortina 2026).

Which events are where (high level)

Here’s a quick distribution you can use when deciding where to stay:

• Opening and closing ceremonies: Milan (major stadium / venues)
• Ice events (figure skating, short track, curling, hockey): Milan and nearby arenas
• Alpine skiing, ski jumping, nordic combined: Cortina and alpine venues
• Snowboard and freestyle events: mountain complexes around Cortina and selected nearby resorts

Travel and planning tips for Australians

If you’re travelling from Australia, plan early — flights, accommodation and rail tickets between Milan and mountain venues will sell fast.

1. Book international flights to Milan (MXP, LIN) early — expect peak prices in Jan–Feb 2026.
2. Reserve mountain accommodation around Cortina well in advance; consider staying in Belluno or other nearby towns if Cortina is full.
3. Check Schengen entry rules — typically Australians can enter Schengen visa‑free for short tourist stays, but confirm current rules and passport validity before booking.
4. Allow time to travel from Milan to Cortina: public rail + bus or hired transfers are common; travel time varies 3–5 hours depending on route.

Quick heads up: local transport plans during the Games sometimes include dedicated shuttle services and event‑day restrictions. Keep an eye on the Milano Cortina transport updates and your ticketing emails.

Tickets, broadcasting and how to watch from Australia

Ticket phases (pre‑sale, public sale) usually roll out months before the Games. If you want to attend specific sessions (alpine finals, figure skating medal sessions), mark official sales and your national Olympic team announcements. If you’d rather watch from home, Australian broadcasters will announce rights closer to 2026 — check national networks and streaming partners.

Practical advice: what I’ve learned from attending large winter events

I’ve travelled to winter events in Europe and here’s what tends to catch people off guard: travel times between cities in mountainous regions look short on a map but take longer in winter road conditions; luggage with ski gear needs planning; and peak days (medal finals, opening weekend) inflate local prices dramatically. Plan for buffer days either side of competition you want to watch.

Budget checklist for Australians

Estimate costs conservatively:

• Return flights: Varies with origin; book early for better rates
• Accommodation: Milan (mid‑range to premium), Cortina (premium in peak season)
• Local transport: rail + shuttle or private transfers
• Tickets: sessions and ceremonies vary widely — premium sessions cost more

Climate, snow reliability and venue conditions

Cortina is a proven alpine venue with high altitude runs; organizers often prepare contingency plans for snow (artificial snow, relocation of some events). Keep an eye on weather forecasts as the Games approach — that affects event scheduling and travel plans.

Health, safety and accessibility notes

European healthcare systems differ from Australia’s; travel insurance that covers winter sports is strongly recommended. For accessibility: modern Olympic organisers publish accessibility guides for venues — check Milano Cortina’s official accessibility pages before booking.

How to follow Aussie athletes and qualification updates

If you’re tracking Australian teams, follow the Australian Olympic Committee and national federations for qualification timelines and selection announcements. That’s often what triggers spikes in searches for where are the winter olympics 2026 — Australians want to know where their athletes will compete.

What could still change (and why that matters)

Venue assignments, competition schedules and ticket release dates sometimes update as test events occur and organisers refine logistics. That’s why I recommend flexible bookings (free changes where possible) and subscribing to official mailing lists so you get immediate updates.

Resources to bookmark right now

• Milano Cortina 2026 — official site (tickets, venues, transport)
• 2026 Winter Olympics — Wikipedia (venue list and background)

Bottom line: action checklist for Australians

1. Decide which events you care about (ceremony, alpine, skating).
2. Sign up for official ticketing alerts and broadcaster updates.
3. Book refundable flights and flexible accommodation now — lock specifics later.
4. Buy appropriate travel and sports insurance (covering winter sports).
5. Follow national team announcements to prioritise days to attend.

If you want, I can outline a sample 10‑day Australia→Milan→Cortina itinerary tailored to specific sports — tell me which events you’d prioritise and I’ll sketch it out.