The fast-approaching 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, are thrilling events. On February 6th, 2026, the Olympic Games will have its opening ceremony in Milan to celebrate the commencement of the games and will conclude on February 22nd, 2026, in the Arena di Verona. Ironically, the Paralympic Games will begin in the Arena di Verona on March 6th and conclude on March 15th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. With eight locations being used in Italy, there are many events to witness and admire, whether online or in person.
You might wonder: “Wait, the 2024 Summer Olympics just happened; why discuss the 2026 Winter Olympics if it’s around two years from now?” Well, did you forget that the 2024 Summer Olympics was (actually) announced back in 2017 to be in Paris? Seven years have quickly passed, and it’s been almost half a year since the 2024 Summer Olympics. Next thing you know, the 2026 Winter Olympics will be here.
Typically, the next city to host would be announced at the end of every Olympics and Paralympics. For example, the mayor of Paris, France, passed on the Olympic flag to the mayor of Los Angeles, United States, for the next Summer Olympics and proudly waved the flag to symbolize their optimism. Before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ended, two candidates remained to host the next Winter Olympics: Stockholm–Åre, Sweden, or Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Ultimately, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, located in Italy, were chosen to co-host the next Winter Olympics and Paralympics. However, what’s unique about the 2026 Winter Olympics is that Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were selected because it was decided by popular vote for the first time in the history of the Olympics and Paralympics.
Although Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have already been selected as the primary locations for the Olympics, there is a slim chance that another location could be used: Lake Placid, United States. Lake Placid, located in New York, welcomes people to do winter activities such as hiking in the snowy mountains, skiing, shopping, etc. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, “Lake Placid is the intended Plan B host site for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games sliding sports if the century-old Italian sliding track in Cortina d’Ampezzo is not completed by March 2025, according to state Olympic Regional Development Authority Communications Director Darcy Rowe Norfolk.” We could see the Winter Olympics debut in the United States again. The last time the U.S. hosted the Winter Olympics was back in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The reveal has been made, and it’s time to meet Tina, Milo, & The Flo, who will be the official mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics! Tina, short for Cortina, will be the Olympic mascot, and Milo, short for Milan, will be the Paralympic mascot. They are two siblings “born in our [Italy’s] mountains and always inseparable.” Their journey through the highly anticipated event will be accompanied by the Flo, who are tiny and fun snowdrops. Together, they intend to bring lots of spirit to the Olympics and Paralympics, creating an environment full of festivity and competition while reminding others about Italy’s unity, history, and culture.
Primary and secondary schools across Italy were invited to enter a competition to draw out and give ideas for the mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Sabin Institute of Segreate won the competition by designing the snowdrops alongside the Taverna Comprehensive Institute, which created the stoats. Fans at the Sanremo Music Festival selected these drawings in a poll to be the mascots.
Ticket sales began on January 15th, 2025, and can be ordered online on the Olympics’ website. You can also shop for apparel and accessories to get early access to the Olympic spirit. Interested in seeing the event in person in Italy? The Olympics page also offers hospitality packages on the website. They include an official Olympic Winter Games ticket and a hospitality experience, and some come with guaranteed accommodation or exclusive in-venue spaces. So, if going to see the 2026 Winter Olympics is something you want to do, it’s best to purchase some things now so that availability isn’t an issue.