Milano-Cortina 2026: everything is ready for the year of the Winter Olympics, the countdown has begun

The 6th of February 2026 will officially open the Winter Olympic Games of Milano-Curtain, and the anticipation is already sky-high. At the Strehler Theater in Milano the symbolic ceremony was held yesterday, February 6, 2025, “One Year to Go“, which marked the start of the official countdown with the inauguration of the Omega Countdown Clock next to the Cathedral. The ceremony saw the participation of numerous Italian authorities and President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach.

“Italy is ready to write a new chapter in the history of the Olympics”, Bach declared, emphasizing the importance of the event for the country. His speech kicked off a a day full of initiatives and Olympic symbols, as the Milano Cortina 2026 Sport Village, a free experience for citizens and tourists in the heart of Milano, with ice hockey and curling rinks open to the public.

A year of intense work: the goal is the success of the Games

Massimo Sertori, Councillor of the Lombardy Region, reassured on the progress of infrastructure, admitting that there is still much work to be done, but with confidence in delivery times.

The Santa Giulia Arena, which will host men's ice hockey, will be completed by December 2025, while the Olympic Village at Scalo Romana is almost ready and will be converted into student housing after the Games.

"A year ago I was worried. Today I look at the completion of the works with optimism, certain that they will be ready for the event", Sertori declared. In his speech he underlined theimportance of involving citizens and schools so that they feel an active part of this event which will give great visibility to the Italian Alps, their natural beauty and cultural and gastronomic excellence.

The support of the institutions is unanimous. At the ceremony the governors of Lombardy and Veneto were present, Attilio Fontana and Luca Zaia, mayor of Milano Giuseppe Sala, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti, il President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano Arno Kompatscher, Mayor of Cortina Gianluca Lorenzi and President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana. 

Tickets and Sports: The Public is Ready for the Olympics

The first day of pre-sales has already seen 65.000 tickets sold in just a few hours, a sign of the great enthusiasm that surrounds Milano Cortina 2026. For those who don't want to miss the chance to watch the Games live, general sales will start in April 2025.

In the meantime, citizens and tourists can already immerse themselves in the world of winter sports thanks to the Milano Cortina 2026 Sports Village in Piazza Duomo, open until March 6, 2025. Here you can try your hand at ice hockey and curling for free, taking 30-minute lessons with qualified instructors.

The Olympic Spirit as a Symbol of Rebirth

"The team is strong and cohesive”, declared the mayor of Milano Giuseppe Sala, remembering that, According to polls, Italians are enthusiastic about the Games. "Italy is ready to surprise the world", added Giovanni Malagò, president of CONI and the Foundation Milano Curtain 2026.

The Olympics of Milano Cortina 2026 will not only be an international sporting event, but will represent a moment of unity and pride for the entire countrye.

The countdown has officially begun: in one year Italy will once again be at the centre of the Olympic world.