Winter Olympics: Milan-Cortina 2026

Verona Takes Center Stage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Verona, home to the historic Arena, has been a stage for grand performances for centuries and will now become a central venue for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Arena di Verona will host the Olympic Closing Ceremony on February 22 and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony on March 6. These events celebrate the Olympic spirit and the passion of athletes, transforming Verona into an international spotlight.

Three Italian cities will showcase the diversity and spirit of the Games:

• Milan: San Siro Stadium will host the Olympic Opening Ceremony on February 6.
• Verona: the Arena di Verona will host the Olympic Closing Ceremony on February 22 and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony on March 6.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: the Olympic Ice Stadium will host the Paralympic Closing Ceremony on March 15..

During the Closing Ceremony, athletes from all nations will gather on stage to witness the Olympic flame being extinguished—a symbol of unity and friendship among countries. The Olympic flag will then be handed over to the mayor of the next host city, reinforcing the connection to future editions of the Games.

Visitor Information: To allow for preparations and construction work related to the Games, the Arena di Verona will be closed to the public from January 8 to March 20, 2026. During this time, guided tours and other tourist activities inside the historic amphitheater will not be available.

The Olympic and Paralympic Flames in Verona

Before the Games begin, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Flame will travel over 12,000 kilometers across Italy, passing through 110 provinces and visiting some of the country’s most important cultural and historic sites, including numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Verona will welcome the torch on January 18, 2026, as part of the relay before it continues to Milan for the official Opening Ceremony.

The Paralympic Flame will start its journey on February 24 from Stoke Mandeville in the United Kingdom and arrive in Verona on March 6 to inaugurate the Winter Paralympic Games. This highlights the city’s commitment to hosting and promoting major international sporting events.

Olympic and Paralympic Competitions in Veneto

Veneto will play a key role in the Games, with Cortina d’Ampezzo at the heart of both Olympic and Paralympic competitions.

Olympic Events:

• Women’s Alpine Skiing: athletes will compete in downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre.
• Curling: competitions will be held at the Cortina Olympic Stadium.
• Bobsleigh, Skeleton, and Luge: thrilling high-speed events at the Cortina Sliding Centre.

Paralympic Events:

• Para Snowboard: athletes will compete at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park on the historic Tofane slopes.
• Alpine Skiing: the same women’s Olympic slopes will host the Paralympic events.
• Wheelchair Curling: the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium will host the ice competitions.

Verona and the Veneto region will be central destinations for experiencing the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics, combining sport, culture, and history for an unforgettable experience for both tourists and sports fans.