How to plan your trip to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Olympic CEO Andrea Varnier shares his top tips for a true gold-medal getaway
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Every four years, travellers from around the world gather to witness sporting greatness firsthand at the Winter Olympics.
Now just a few months away, Milano Cortina 2026 promises to be an Olympic Games like no other: spread across the breathtaking regions of northern Italy, from Milan’s vibrant city life to the storybook alpine towns of Cortina d’Ampezzo and Livigno.
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Whether you’re a diehard Team Canada fan chasing gold or a culture lover eager to explore charming towns between events, the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to deliver some truly memorable experiences.
We sat down with Andrea Varnier, chief executive of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, which organizes the games, to get the inside scoop on everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable Olympic adventure.
Where will the Winter Games take place?
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are set to take place from Feb. 6 to 22 across four main areas in northern Italy: Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. The Paralympic Games will follow from March 6 to 15.
“We don’t have one Olympic city,” said Varnier. “We are multi-centred. We go from Milano, where the opening ceremony will be, all the way to Cortina and Livigno — and even to Trentino and South Tyrol. It’s a mix of urban, heritage, nature and mountains.”
Travellers can journey to cosmopolitan Milan for hockey, figure skating, short-track and long-track speedskating; or head to picturesque Cortina d’Ampezzo, located within the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, for women’s alpine skiing, curling, luge, bobsled, skeleton and ski mountaineering.
Livigno, known as the “Little Tibet of Italy” due to its remote location and snow-covered landscapes, will host freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. The resort town of Bormio will host men’s alpine skiing and travellers can visit the towns of Tesero and Predazzo for cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping. Those looking to watch contestants compete in the biathlon can head north to the German-speaking area of the Antholz Valley. Finally, the closing ceremony will be held at the historic Arena di Verona.
Many events will take place in already-existing, often upgraded, venues — part of the Games’ sustainability promise.
“The diversity of the venues is part of the magic,” said Varnier. “You could be watching a hockey game in Milan one day and a ski race in the Dolomites the next.”
How do you get around?
Getting to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics from Canada is easier than you might expect. Milan’s Malpensa Airport (MXP) serves as the main international gateway, with regular direct flights from major Canadian airports including Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL).
For travellers departing from cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa or Halifax, one-stop flights via major European hubs including Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam or London offer efficient connections into Milan.
“Milan is very well connected, so it’s easy to fly in and then move from one location to the other,” said Varnier. “We are working on simplifying the travel and also the ticketing, to give Canadians and other international guests a better experience.”
Travellers can use Italy’s high-speed trains, such as Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo services, to travel efficiently between major cities such as Milan and Verona. From there, regional trains and shuttle buses will connect to mountain towns near the venues, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val di Fiemme and Antholz-Anterselva.
While Cortina itself doesn’t have a direct train station, nearby towns such as Calalzo and Dobbiaco serve as gateways, with shuttle services bridging the last leg. For greater flexibility — especially to visit smaller alpine villages — renting a car is recommended.
When should you book?
The time to start planning is now. According to Varnier, almost 65 per cent of tickets have already been sold, with demand expected to rise sharply starting this October.
Fans can purchase remaining tickets through the official platform, while additional options will open when the official resale platform launches in December 2025.
Hospitality packages — including tickets, accommodations and travel — are also available through On Location, the Games’ official hospitality partner.
Where should you stay?
Because the Games are spread across different regions, there are a variety of accommodation options. Stay in Milan if you’re looking for big-city vibes and are attending figure skating, hockey or the ceremonies. Cortina or Livigno offer a classic alpine winter experience with easy access to skiing events, and Bolzano or Bormio provide access to mountain venues with smaller town charm.
“You can make the Olympic trip of your dreams,” said Varnier. “You can stay in the city or in a little mountain chalet. It’s very flexible.”
What makes these Winter Games unique?
Beyond the thrilling competitions, Milano Cortina 2026 is aiming to redefine what a modern Olympic Games can be. Sustainability, heritage and innovation are at the forefront.
This is the fourth time that Italy will host the Olympic Games — having previously hosted in Turin in 2006, Rome in 1960 and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956 — so it will be interesting to see what sets these games apart.
“We are delivering the Games in a new way,” said Varnier. “We are using a lot of existing venues, some of which were already Olympic venues in 1956. So, there is a beautiful historical connection.”
The opening ceremony will be held at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, while the closing ceremony will take place at the Roman amphitheatre in Verona, promising a stunning sendoff steeped in history.
And because Italy is Italy — food, fashion and culture will play a central role.
“You will eat well,” Varnier laughed. “It’s not just about sport — it’s a real Italian experience. We are finalizing an extensive cultural program to accompany the sporting events — from cinema and design to music and food — making sure everyone feels part of the Olympic story.”
Canada has always been a strong contender at the Winter Olympics, and 2026 will be no different. But Varnier is also hopeful that Canadians will come not just to cheer, but to connect.
“Canadians know how to do winter. And you love sport,” he said. “I really hope many Canadians will come — to enjoy the sport, the mountains and to feel at home.”
If you go
Keep an eye on ticket sales: Tickets are currently on sale through the official Milano Cortina 2026 website.
Pick your must-see events early: Popular competitions and those in smaller host towns — like ski jumping in Predazzo or biathlon in Antholz-Anterselva — may have limited accommodation, so plan accordingly.
Balance city and mountain experiences: Start your trip in Milan to soak up the culture and then head to the Dolomites for alpine events and stunning scenery.
Get familiar with the basics: A few Italian phrases can go a long way, especially in smaller towns — but a little patience and courtesy are just as useful.
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