Attending your first Winter Olympics requires more planning than a typical sporting event, especially at Milano Cortina 2026. Rather than taking place around one Olympic Park, the Games will be spread across several destinations in northern Italy, with different locations hosting different sports.
If this is your first Winter Olympics, knowing the best areas to stay, how to get around and what to expect at each venues can make planning and attending the events that much smoother and stress-free!
When Are the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run between February 6th to the 22nd, 2026. The Opening Ceremony takes place at San Siro Stadium in Milan on February 6, while competitions will be held across 15 venues in northern Italy.
If you are planning a trip, check the competition schedule before booking accommodation. Where you stay should depend largely on the sports you are wanting to watch.
Understand the Varying Locations
Despite the name Milano Cortina, the Games stretch well beyond Milan and Cortina. Events are divided between several areas:
Milan: Ice hockey, figure skating, short track and speed skating
Cortina d’Ampezzo: Women’s Alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge
Bormio: Men’s Alpine skiing and ski mountaineering
Livigno: Snowboard and freestyle skiing
Anterselva: Biathlon
Val di Fiemme: Cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined
Purchasing Tickets
Spectators have two main options: individual event tickets or official hospitality packages. Tickets should only be purchased through official Milano Cortina 2026 sales channels or authorized providers.
Before buying the tickets, check the venue and the event. Two competitions taking place on consecutive days could be in completely different parts of northern Italy, making it challenging to attend both without changing accommodation or carving out time for travelling.
Getting Around
- Milan: Metro, trains, trams and buses make public transportation the easiest option.
- Mountain venues: Expect to use trains, buses and dedicated Games transportation depending on the destination.
- Plan transportation before event day, particularly for Cortina, Bormio and Livigno.
- If attending events in different clusters, consider changing hotels rather than travelling back and forth.
- Allow extra travel time for winter weather, crowds and busy transportation services.
What Should You Wear?
For outdoor events:
- Thermal base layers
- Warm mid-layers
- Waterproof winter jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Warm socks
- Waterproof footwear with good grip
For indoor events:
- Wear removable layers.
- Bring a warm coat for travelling to and from the venue.
- Choose comfortable footwear if you will be using public transportation or walking between stations.
How Early Should You Arrive?
Do not plan to arrive just before your event begins. Milano Cortina’s official ticket conditions require spectators to arrive quite early to complete ticket checks and security screening, and organizers warn that these procedures can increase entry time.
- Leave enough time for ticket checks and security screening.
- Allow additional travel time for outdoor mountain venues.
- Check your ticket and venue information before leaving.
- Do not plan to arrive immediately before the competition begins.
Pack Light for the Venue
Avoid bringing a large bag. Olympic venues will have security screening, and the official ticket conditions state that lockers will not be available. Large suitcases and bags can be refused.
There are also restrictions on items including glass containers, cans, umbrellas, professional photography equipment and outside food, with limited exceptions. Check the latest prohibited-items list before attending your event rather than relying on normal stadium rules.
Before You Go
A great first trip to the Winter Olympics comes down to planning around your tickets. Check exactly where each event is taking place, stay close to the sports you want to watch and allow extra time for public transportation and venue security.
Milano Cortina 2026 will be spread across a much larger area than the name suggests. Understanding that before booking your trip can make the difference between spending your Olympic vacation watching the action and spending it travelling between venues!
