Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Full Schedule Guide
The Winter Olympics are set to make a stylish return to Italy with the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, the first co-hosted edition in two decades. Blending the urban chic of Milan with the alpine majesty of Cortina d'Ampezzo, this event promises a spectacle of 16 sports and over 110 gold medals. For Australian fans, it's prime time to stock up on hot chocolates and plan late-night viewing sessions, as the Games unfold from February 6 to 22, 2026. Whether you're a die-hard alpine enthusiast or a casual curling follower, this comprehensive schedule breakdown will keep you ahead of the curve.
Overview of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games
Hosted across northern Italy, the Games highlight Italy's rich winter sports heritage—Cortina last welcomed the Olympics in 1956. Expect a mix of high-adrenaline races and graceful performances against backdrops of snow-capped Dolomites. Key themes include sustainability, with eco-friendly venues, and innovation, like enhanced tech for broadcasts reaching global audiences, including our Aussie viewers via streaming platforms.
The competition spans 19 days, starting with the Opening Ceremony on February 6 in Milan and closing on February 22. Sixteen disciplines will feature, from the blistering speeds of bobsleigh to the strategic sweeps of curling. Standout athletes include American ski queen Mikaela Shiffrin chasing more records, quad-jump sensation Ilia Malinin in figure skating, and Italy's own short-track star Arianna Fontana aiming for home glory.
Day-by-Day Schedule Highlights
The schedule kicks off with early action in non-snow events, building to a crescendo of medals. Here's a streamlined overview (all times in CET; add 9 hours for AEDT in Australia):
February 6-7: Opening and Early Ice Events
The Opening Ceremony lights up Milan's San Siro Stadium at 8:00 PM. Day 1 features figure skating short program (women's and pairs) at the Mediolanum Forum, where Malinin's revolutionary jumps could steal the show. Curling mixed doubles begins, with Team GB's Bruce Mouat bringing precision play that rivals any thriller.
February 8-10: Alpine and Nordic Momentum
Alpine skiing roars into life on February 8 with women's downhill in Cortina—Shiffrin's domain. Biathlon mixed relay follows on February 9, testing endurance in the snowy Val di Fiemme. Cross-country skiing sprints cap February 10, blending speed and stamina.
February 11-13: Speed and Power Sports
Short-track speed skating explodes on February 11, with Fontana leading Italy's charge in the 500m. Ice hockey prelims start, pitting powerhouses like Canada against underdogs. Luge and skeleton races on February 12 offer raw, gravity-defying thrills down icy tracks.
February 14-16: Freestyle and Snowboard Peaks
Valentine's Day brings freestyle skiing aerials, where acrobats flip through the air. Snowboarding slopestyle on February 15 showcases creativity on jumps and rails. Nordic combined jumps on February 16 set up grueling ski chases.
February 17-19: Endurance Climax
Men's alpine super-G on February 17, followed by biathlon pursuits. Cross-country relays on February 18 test team grit. Bobsleigh four-man races on February 19 deliver heart-pounding finishes.
February 20-22: Finals and Closing Glory
Figure skating gala and speed skating mass starts wrap up on February 20. Ice hockey finals on February 21, potentially a Canada-Sweden showdown. The Closing Ceremony in Cortina on February 22 celebrates with fireworks and farewells.
Sport-by-Sport Breakdown
Dive deeper into the disciplines that make the Winter Olympics unmissable.
Alpine Skiing
Five events per gender: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined. Shiffrin eyes her 100th World Cup win en route to Olympic golds. Venues in Bormio offer steep, technical runs—perfect for edge-of-your-seat drama.
Figure Skating and Ice Dance
From singles to pairs and ice dance, this art-meets-athletics staple returns post-Beijing controversies with stricter judging. Team GB's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson could end a 32-year medal drought since Torvill and Dean's iconic routines.
Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing
Biathlon's shoot-and-ski format demands laser focus amid endurance tests. Cross-country covers distances up to 50km, rewarding tactical pacing. Norway dominates, but watch for upsets in relays.
Speed Skating and Short Track
Long-track speed skating in Baselga di Piné features pursuits and relays. Short track's chaos—crashes, comebacks, and Fontana's six Olympic golds—makes it a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Ice Hockey and Curling
Men's and women's hockey tournaments build to gold-medal nail-biters. Curling's strategic 'chess on ice' sees mixed, men's, and women's events, with Mouat's Scotland leading GB hopes.
Sliding Sports: Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton
High-speed descents on the Cortina track. Germany's sled teams are favorites, but home crowds could propel Italy in bobsleigh.
Freestyle, Snowboard, and Nordic Combined
Freestyle's moguls and halfpipe dazzle with flips. Snowboarding big air pushes boundaries. Nordic combined merges ski jumping with cross-country for all-around athletes.
Aussie Viewing Tips and Expectations
For Australians, the Games align with summer evenings, ideal for barbecues under the stars while watching live on Channel 7 or 7plus. Australia eyes medals in freestyle skiing—think Laura Peel in aerials—and snowboard cross. With climate change spotlighting snow reliability, organizers promise solid conditions via snow-making tech.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, it reaffirms the Olympics' magic: uniting nations in winter's embrace. Mark your calendars—these Games will be historic.
