2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: Where Sustainability Meets Innovation

2026년, 이탈리아의 밀라노와 코르티나 다암페조에서 겨울 스포츠의 흥미진진한 축제가 다시 시작됩니다. 제25회 동계 올림픽이 개최되며, 이는 1956년 코르티나와 2006년 토리노에 이어 이탈리아에서 세 번째로 열리는 올림픽이기도 합니다. 이번 올림픽은 ‘지속 가능성과 혁신’을 핵심 가치로 삼아, 환경 보호와 최신 기술의 결합을 통해 새로운 패러다임을 제시하고자 합니다. 그럼 본문에서 바로 이어서 살펴보죠.

In 2026, the world will once again be filled with the excitement of winter sports. The 25th Winter Olympics will be jointly hosted in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, marking a historic moment as Italy hosts the Winter Olympics for the third time, following Cortina in 1956 and Turin in 2006.

This Olympics emphasizes ‘sustainability and innovation’ as its core values. By recycling over 92% of existing venues, it aims to minimize environmental impact and actively utilize eco-friendly transportation systems and renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, cutting-edge technologies such as AI officiating technology, metaverse-based virtual venue experiences, and smart mobility systems will be integrated, making it expected to be the most innovative event in Olympic history.

Can the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics redefine the future of sports? Through this event, the world will experience a new model of the Winter Olympics that combines sports, technology, and sustainability.

🇮🇹 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: A Winter Sports Festival in Italy

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as the 25th Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina 2026), will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This event marks the third Winter Olympics held in Italy, with the winter sports festival returning to Milan-Cortina in 2026 after Cortina in 1956 and Turin in 2006.

🚀 Overview of the 2026 Winter Olympics

• Host Cities: Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
• Event Dates: February 6 to February 22, 2026
• Official Name: Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games
• Slogan: (to be officially announced)
• Italy’s Experience in Hosting Winter Olympics:
  • 1956 Cortina Winter Olympics
  • 2006 Turin Winter Olympics
  • 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

This Olympics is notable as it is the first Winter Olympics to be jointly hosted by two major cities (Milan and Cortina).

1️⃣ Key Features of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

✅ ‘Distributed Hosting’ – A New Model Not Concentrated in One City

This Olympics breaks away from the traditional ‘single-city hosting model’ by distributing venues across Italy.

📌 Main Venues and Events:

• Milan – Opening Ceremony, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Short Track
• Cortina d’Ampezzo – Alpine Skiing, Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton
• Vale di Fiemme – Nordic Skiing, Biathlon
• Livigno – Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding
• Verona – Closing Ceremony (to be held at the Verona Arena)

💡 Twist:

• For the first time in Olympic history, the ‘opening and closing ceremonies are likely to take place in different cities.
• The opening ceremony is expected to be held at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, while the closing ceremony will take place at Verona’s Roman amphitheater (Verona Arena).

✅ ‘Sustainable Olympics’ – Eco-friendly & Economical Operations

Milan-Cortina 2026 places environmental protection and sustainability as core values.

🌱 Eco-friendly Policies:

• Utilization of 92% of existing venues – Minimizing the construction of new venues
• Plans for 100% recycling of venues after the Olympics
• Introduction of electric vehicles & eco-friendly transportation systems
• Setting goals to minimize carbon emissions

📌 Twist:

• The Italian government has declared a ‘zero carbon emissions’ Winter Olympics, but questions have been raised about its feasibility.
• If the strategy of utilizing existing venues succeeds, it is likely to become the most economical and sustainable event in Olympic history.

✅ Italy’s ‘Meeting of Sports and Culture’

Milan and Cortina are also famous as cities where fashion, art, and sports harmonize.

✨ Milan – A Global Fashion & Cultural City

• A city concentrated with luxury fashion brands and the latest trends
• Possibility of innovative presentations combining fashion and sports at the opening ceremony

🏔 Cortina d’Ampezzo – The Winter Kingdom of the Alps

• A ski destination with experience hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics
• Competitions held amidst the beautiful natural scenery of traditional Alpine villages

📌 Twist:

• There is a high possibility that the ‘Italian style’ of a glamorous opening ceremony and cultural events will differentiate it from previous Olympics.
• A hybrid opening ceremony combining art and sports is expected to be planned.

2️⃣ Major Events and Schedule

✅ Maintaining the Traditional 15 Events of the Winter Olympics

• Alpine Skiing
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Freestyle Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Speed Skating
• Short Track
• Curling
• Figure Skating
• Ice Hockey
• Biathlon
• Luge, Bobsleigh, Skeleton

📅 Highlights of the Major Event Schedule

• Opening Ceremony: February 6, 2026 (Milan, San Siro Stadium)
• Short Track Finals: Strong competition expected from Korea, China, and the Netherlands (mid-February)
• Ice Hockey Finals: Anticipated showdown between the USA and Canada, along with strong European teams (February 21)
• Closing Ceremony: February 22, 2026 (Verona, Verona Arena)

📌 Twist:

• AI officiating technology may be introduced for some figure skating and short track decisions
• ‘Virtual venue experience’ services utilizing VR and the metaverse are expected to be provided

3️⃣ Economic Impact and Controversies

✅ Economic Effect Projections

• Estimated economic impact of approximately 6 billion euros (about 8.5 trillion won)
• Expected influx of tourists over 12 million
• Creation of approximately 100,000 new jobs

⚠️ Controversies and Challenges

• Traffic issues due to distributed hosting (problems with travel distances between venues)
• Concerns about securing the budget for Olympic preparations amidst Italy’s unstable economic situation
• Whether environmental protection goals can be achieved (questions about the feasibility of carbon emission reduction targets)

📌 Twist:

• Italy is planning to utilize the venues as Europe’s top winter sports resort after the Olympics.
• There are expectations for economic revitalization in Milan and northern Italy as a result of the Olympics.

🏆 What Legacy Will the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Leave Behind?

✅ Will it be the ‘most sustainable Winter Olympics’?
✅ Will it create a new concept of ‘Fashion & Sports Olympics’?
✅ Will it be recorded as the ‘first Winter Olympics integrated with AI & smart technology’?

🚀 In February 2026, the world will find the answers in Italy.