Milan-Cortina 2026 Enters Final Delivery Phase
The Olympic flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece, on 26th November 2025.
The Olympic Torch Relay will unite 20 regions, 110 provinces, and several UNESCO sites in a 63-day, 12,000km journey featuring 10,001 torchbearers and daily public celebrations.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that preparations have entered the decisive delivery phase as the Coordination Commission met.
Commission members toured the Milan Olympic Village and the new Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena – two of the very few venues being built for these Games, with 85% of competition venues already existing.
“This session of the Coordination Commission has been a moment of constructive dialogue and great value,” said the Organising Committee President, Giovanni Malago.
“We have taken important steps forward, but we are fully aware that the road to Milano Cortina 2026 is still long and demanding.
“The coming weeks will be decisive, and will require clarity, determination and team spirit to effectively address the operational and strategic challenges that lie ahead.
“The presence of President Kirsty Coventry added further value to these days of work, bringing renewed energy and momentum to all of us.”
The IOC claims sustainability is at the heart of The Games.
While 11 out of the 13 competition venues are existing or temporary, all of them will be powered by renewable electricity.
A sustainable sourcing strategy prioritises environmental and social criteria, as well as renting over buying, with 20,000 venue items to be re-used from Paris 2024.
“We all agreed in the Olympic Movement that we needed to try to be more sustainable, to reach out to regions,” said IOC President, Kirsty Coventry
“This is the first time we’re going to see this.
“So let’s make it not just incredible Games for Milan, for Cortina, but for all the regions, and for Italy, and for the Olympic Movement, especially in today’s world where everything is so divided.
“We really need to come together and show the world just how powerful we, the Olympic Movement, are.”
Image c/o Milan-Cortina 2026
Building on the President’s words, IOC Coordination Commission Chair, Kristin Kloster, commented on the team’s progress and focus on fan and athlete engagement.
“We are now in the final stretch, and the team is fully in delivery mode, tackling an immense workload in the coming months,” Kloster said.
“That’s why integrated teamwork – from the public authorities to the Organising Committee and its partners – is essential, with everyone working tirelessly side by side.
“Plans should now become reality, as the excitement for the Games continues to build.”
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Overall, almost 800,000 out of a total 1.5 million tickets have already been sold.
Beyond the preparations for delivery, the benefits of the Games are already taking shape for local communities.
Sports promotion programmes have encouraged millions of Italians to move more, leading to the highest levels of physical activity in the country’s history.
The Games have also created opportunities to regenerate urban areas and boost infrastructure in mountain regions.
The Milan Olympic Village will see a former railway yard turned into a vibrant community hub after the Games, with this becoming Italy’s largest student housing complex.
In the mountain areas, health and community services are being strengthened, including new electrical infrastructure that enhances resilience across the region.
Cortina, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI
Accessibility upgrades are on track across the Milan metro, Verona Arena and surrounding areas, with modernised facilities in Trento and Bolzano.
In addition, the Organising Committee has reinforced its commitment to investing in people.
Around 18,000 volunteers are currently undergoing 270,000 hours of training, while over 50,000 additional volunteers will contribute to community initiatives.
Collaborations with 20 Italian universities are creating career pathways, and €5m spent on procurement has supported local social and micro enterprises .
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from 6th to 22nd February 2026, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from 6th to 15th March 2026.
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