The countdown to the Winter Games in Milan-Cortina will begin very shortly. The countdown began this previous week when the National Hockey League officially cancelled its season. The cancellation allowed players to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. For the first time in 12 years, players who play hockey in the National Hockey League will have an opportunity to play on the Olympic stage.
Once again, the Olympic expectation to compete in the same sport is raising the profiles of hockey players and Canadian teams vying for Olympic gold because of the star–studded rosters of the potential “Milan Dream Team.” Team Canada has two key players, Connor McDavid and veteran Sidney Crosby; however, the USA has an exciting possibility of being a serious competitor for Olympic gold with their fast skating style and a solid foundation built by the Hughes brothers.
On the slopes, the narrative is one of legendary redemption. The confirmed participation of Lindsey Vonn, returning at 41, has turned the Alpine events into a global media circus. She joins Mikaela Shiffrin, who recently recorded her 100th World Cup win in pursuit of history, as local ticket prices for the Cortina downhill events soar to record highs.
A Modern Logistics Gamble
The new Milano-Cortina 2026 represents a departure from the “Olympic Park” concept. Instead, Italy is embracing a more regionalized plan to stretch events across 22,000 km². “This is an Olympics of the regions,” explains regional coordinator Alessandro Rossi. “However, it comes with the problem of the century: How do you transport 10,000 athletes and fans in real time across mountain passes when they are covered in snow?”Although the start of the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena has come down to the wire, the successful homologation of the Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre in Cortina in November has given bobsleigh and skeleton enthusiasts a huge sigh of relief.
By The Numbers
22,000 km²: This indicates the total area spanned by the Games, which created the largest Winter Olympic Games footprint in history.
2,900: Estimated number of world-class athletes from more than 90 countries.
116: Medal events in 16 disciplines.
1: New sport: Ski Mountaineering (Skimo)
2,000 Years: The age of the Verona Arena. It is the site of the Closing Ceremony.
Traveler’s Guide
Attending these Games requires a strategy. Combining your tickets by territory to avoid five-hour commutes is helpful. The Milan Cluster is best for Ice Hockey, while the Cortina Cluster is the go-to for Alpine Skiing and Curling.
Ditch the rental car. Italy has implemented “Olympic Limited Traffic Zones.” Use the “Transport Milano Cortina 2026” app to integrate Frecciarossa high-speed trains with dedicated Olympic shuttles. Finally, remember that while Milan is chilly, mountain venues can plummet to -15°C. Pack in layers and ensure your mobile tickets are downloaded for offline use, as mountain signals remain notoriously spotty.
Italy is ready for its time to host these incredible games, and you don’t want to miss them.
