Milano Cortina 2026 Olimpiadi Invernali - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Milano Cortina 2026: experience the Winter Olympics while staying in Bergamo

The City Outside Bergamo

05 December 2025

Italy is preparing to welcome one of the most anticipated sporting events of the decade: Milano Cortina 2026, the XXV Olympic Winter Games which, in February 2026, will attract athletes, enthusiasts and visitors from all over the world.

After the success of Torino 2006, Italy returns to the Olympic scene with a project that combines sporting tradition, innovation and enhancement of the territory.

Milano Cortina 2026 will not only be an opportunity to experience the intensity of top-level competitions, but also a chance to discover some of the most fascinating destinations in Northern Italy, between modern metropolises, extraordinary Alpine landscapes and historic cities rich in culture.

Where will the 2026 Winter Olympics be held?

The 2026 Winter Olympics stand out for a unique feature: the presence of two co-host cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which give the event its name. This choice reflects the desire to highlight different yet complementary territories, combining the cosmopolitan energy of the Lombard capital with the charm of the Dolomites.

The competitions will take place in various locations across Lombardy and Veneto, as well as the autonomous province of Bolzano. Milan will host the ice hockey, figure skating and short track events in cutting-edge venues such as the Palaitalia Santa Giulia.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, already the host of the 1956 Games, will once again take center stage with alpine skiing, curling and other disciplines in its historic Alpine venues.

Other key locations will include:

Bormio, where some alpine skiing events will be held on the famous Stelvio slopes,
Livigno, which will host snowboard and freestyle events,
Anterselva in Val Pusteria, the venue for biathlon competitions,
Cavalese, hosting cross-country skiing and Nordic combined,
Predazzo, for ski jumping.

This geographical distribution allows for the use of existing facilities and the promotion of several mountain areas, reducing environmental impact and ensuring a lasting legacy for local communities.

Santa Giulia Arena Milan – LaPresse image from FanPage.it

How long does Milano Cortina 2026 last?

The XXV Olympic Winter Games will officially begin on February 6, 2026 with the opening ceremony and will conclude on February 22, 2026 with the closing ceremony, for a total duration of 17 intense days of competitions. During this time, more than 100 medal events will take place across various Olympic disciplines, from figure skating to alpine skiing, from ice hockey to bobsleigh.

Immediately after the Olympics, the torch will pass to the Winter Paralympic Games, scheduled from March 6 to 15, 2026, bringing another nine days of emotions and competitions featuring Paralympic athletes from all over the world. A further opportunity to celebrate sport and its values of inclusion and determination.

How much do tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics cost?

The pricing policy for Milano Cortina 2026 was designed to ensure accessibility for a wide range of spectators, with ticket prices varying significantly based on the type of event, the competition phase and the seat category.

Tickets are available exclusively through the official platform tickets.milanocortina2026.org, the only authorized and secure channel for purchase. The sales system includes several stages: after an initial lottery for the most requested packages, scheduled sales follow, enabling visitors to plan their Olympic experience in advance.

As for pricing, the range is quite broad:

Preliminary events and qualifiers start at around €40–50,
Semifinals and intermediate events range between €80 and €150,
Finals and top-tier events can reach €200 to €450,
VIP seats and hospitality packages are available at premium rates.

There are significant discounts for children, youth under 18 and seniors over 65, as well as special rates for groups and families. Ticket sales follow a precise schedule, so regularly checking the official website is recommended to avoid missing opportunities for high-demand events.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Overview of the main events of Milano Cortina 2026

The Olympic program of Milano Cortina 2026 offers a rich and varied spectacle, with disciplines ranging from the grace of figure skating to the adrenaline of downhill racing. Here is an overview of the main events that will animate the different venues.

In Milan, ice sports will be concentrated: men’s and women’s ice hockey at Palaitalia Santa Giulia, figure skating with its emotional choreographies, and short track with its fast-paced and spectacular races. The metropolitan area will also host some curling sessions.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, the queen of the Dolomites, will be the setting for the Alpine disciplines par excellence. Its legendary slopes will host alpine skiing competitions (downhill, giant slalom, slalom, super-G and combined), as well as curling in its historic arena. The Ampezzo mountains will provide breathtaking natural scenery for challenges between the world’s best skiers.

Bormio will complete the alpine skiing schedule with additional competitions on the iconic Stelvio slope, one of the most technical and demanding on the world circuit. Livigno will become the reference point for freestyle and snowboard, young and spectacular disciplines that attract a broad audience.

The Val di Fiemme and Cavalese will host cross-country skiing and Nordic combined, sports that require extraordinary endurance and refined technique. Predazzo will be the venue for ski jumping, with its slopes allowing athletes to defy gravity in spectacular leaps.

Anterselva, in South Tyrol, confirms its role as a biathlon venue, a fascinating discipline combining cross-country skiing and marksmanship. Finally, the artificial tracks of the Valtellina will host bobsleigh, luge and skeleton, sports where speed and precision make the difference on icy tracks measured to the hundredth of a second.

Where to stay during the Winter Olympics?

With millions of visitors expected and events concentrated in a relatively short period, finding accommodation close to the Olympic venues can be challenging. Milan, in particular, will experience extremely high demand for lodging, with prices inevitably rising.

For this reason, more and more visitors are considering alternative solutions in nearby cities, which offer excellent connections to the Lombard capital while providing a richer tourism experience in lesser-known yet equally fascinating areas. Among these, Bergamo stands out as one of the most interesting and strategic options.

We suggest that you consult our article Where to sleep in Bergamo: a guide to the best accommodation facilities, where you will find a variety of recommendations and different types of accommodation for your stay in Bergamo.

How to get from Bergamo to Milan

Bergamo is located just 50 km from Milan and is connected to the capital by an efficient and diverse public transport network, making travel quick and convenient even for those without a car.

Venetian Walls in Bergamo

The fastest and most direct connection is the regional train, which departs from Bergamo station and arrives at Milan Central Station in about 50–60 minutes. Trenord trains run frequently throughout the day, with departures every 30 minutes during peak hours. Tickets are affordable (about €5–6) and the stations are well-connected to local public transport. From Milan Central Station, it is easy to reach any point in the city via the metro and ATM network. For updated schedules and ticket purchase: www.trenord.it.

A particularly convenient alternative for travelers arriving at Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is the direct shuttle bus to Milan operated by various companies. The most popular services are Terravision and FlixBus, which connect the airport with Milan Central Station and Milan Lampugnano with frequent departures and affordable fares (about €5–10). The journey takes about one hour and tickets can be purchased online or directly at the airport ticket offices. Information at: www.terravision.eu and www.flixbus.it.

For those who prefer more flexibility, there are also scheduled bus services operated by ATB (Azienda Trasporti Bergamo) and private companies connecting Bergamo with various areas of Milan. These services may require transfers, but they are economical options for travelers without time constraints.

Naturally, those wishing to travel independently can opt for a rental car or use the A4 motorway (Turin–Venice), which directly connects the two cities in about 45 minutes (traffic permitting). However, during the Olympics, road traffic may be particularly heavy and parking in Milan may be difficult and expensive.

Why visit Bergamo during Milano Cortina 2026?

Choosing Bergamo as a base for attending the Winter Olympics does not simply mean finding an alternative accommodation: it represents the opportunity to discover one of the most charming and authentic cities in Italy, offering an extraordinary historical, artistic and cultural heritage and ranked among the Top 5 most livable Italian cities according to Il Sole 24 Ore.

Bergamo is divided into two complementary areas: Città Alta, the medieval hilltop town surrounded by imposing Venetian walls (UNESCO World Heritage), and Città Bassa, the modern and lively lower city. Strolling through the cobbled alleys of Città Alta means immersing yourself in a timeless atmosphere, among historic palaces, elegant squares and breathtaking panoramic views.

Piazza Vecchia, with its Palazzo della Ragione and the civic tower known as the “Campanone“, is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel are Renaissance masterpieces worthy of an in-depth visit.

The Venetian walls, built in the 16th century, can be walked or cycled along a panoramic path offering stunning views of the Po Valley and the Prealps. Art lovers will appreciate the Accademia Carrara, home to one of the most important painting collections in Europe, featuring works by Botticelli, Raphael, Bellini and many other masters.

Bergamo is also a city of culinary excellence: from casoncelli (traditional stuffed pasta) to polenta taragna and polenta osei, from scarpinocc to the DOP cheeses of the Bergamo valleys, every meal becomes a memorable experience. Local restaurants and traditional trattorias offer genuine regional cuisine accompanied by excellent Lombard wines.

Tuk Tuk Tour in Bergamo – Accademia Carrara

From the Olympics… to a Tuk Tuk Tour

To experience the city from an original and engaging perspective, Bergamo By Tuk Tuk offers guided tours aboard characteristic electric three-wheeled Ape Calessini, allowing visitors to discover hidden corners, listen to historical anecdotes and enjoy exclusive panoramas in a comfortable and entertaining way. The perfect experience for those who want to explore the true soul of the city while enjoying a relaxing and personalized excursion.

Between one Olympic event and another, Bergamo offers the opportunity to enrich your stay with culture, beauty, good food and genuine hospitality.

A smart solution that transforms the need to find accommodation outside Milan into an added value for your 2026 Winter Olympics experience.