With the opening ceremony two weeks away, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are drawing attention not only for the upcoming competition, but also for their unconventional hosting model. For the first time in Olympic history, the Winter Games will be co-hosted by two cities located more than 250 miles apart. This decision started a debate over logistics, sustainability and the future of Olympics organization.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be shared between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, two cities that differ noticeably in geography, culture and historical ties to winter sports. Milan, Italy’s second largest city after Rome, is a busy northern metropolis known for its fashion, business and cultural attractions. Cortina d’Ampezzo, located in the Dolomites, is an alpine town recognized for its beautiful mountains and winter sports tradition. Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and was selected as the 1944 Games’ venue, which were canceled due to World War II. The contrast between the urban environment of Milan and more of a nature-based setting of Cortina presents a challenge in hosting events across distinct locations.
Events are spread across four geographic clusters in northern Italy, but Milan will be the main base of the Olympics. This four main locations and their events are:
- Milan & Verona: Opening and closing ceremonies, ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating and short track.
- Valtellina: Freestyle skiing and snowboarding in Livigno, ski mountaineering and men’s Alpine skiing on the Stelvio.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: Women’s alpine skiing on the Tofane, curling, sliding sports and biathlon in nearby Anterselva.
- Val di Fiemme: Ski jumping in Predazzo and cross-country skiing in Tesero.
Despite Italy’s bid emphasizing economic and environmental sustainability, critics have raised concerns about the impact of the Olympic’s construction and transportation. Environmental groups have pointed to increased carbon emissions from travel between the venues and the ecological consequences of building in the Dolomities, a protected alpine region. A particularly controversial project that has been spotlighted is the new bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track in Cortina. Over 500 larch trees, some 500 to 600 years old, were cut to make way for the $140 million reinforced facility. Locals have questioned the long-term usefulness of the track, noting that only a few dozen athletes in Italy compete in these sports each year. The track’s annual maintenance is projected at $1.8 million, and additional venue constructions, including new ski lifts, access to roads and artificial snow reservoirs have caused concerns about habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.
The separation of Milan and Cortina prompts concerns of practical difficulties for both spectators and athletes. The cities are approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) apart, with travel taking around five hours by car without traffic. If the audience decides to take the bus or the train, it could take around six hours. The mountainous roads increase the risk of traffic congestion, especially during popular events. Visitors may also need to book hotels in multiple locations, adding to the hardships of transportation.
Supporters argue that co-hosting allows for more efficient use of existing infrastructure and spreads the economic benefits of hosting Olympics across the country. The co-hosting showcases different aspects of Italy, such as Milan’s urban and modern side or Cortina’s alpine landscapes which gives a stronger image of the Winter Olympics. The distribution of events in four clusters, rather than constructing entirely new facilities in one place could, reduce the environmental burdens of hosting in a single location.
As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics come around the corner, the Games are viewed as a test case for future Olympic hosting models. The outcome of Italy managing events across a wide geographical area will likely influence how the International Olympic Committee considers these dual-city bids in the future. Whether the 2026 Winter Olympics turn out to be a success or not, the co-hosting attempt stands to be a turning point in Olympics hosting.