Winter Olympics 2026: all your questions about the Milano Cortina Games, answered

The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here, and this time around, they're not just one city but six venues spread across northern Italy. The Milano Cortina Games will feature returning superstars like Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Ilia Malinin, as well as brand-new events that aim to shake up the traditional Olympic landscape.

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin on Friday, February 6, with a ceremony at the San Siro stadium in Milan. However, several competitions will kick off before then, including curling, ice hockey, luge, ski jumping, snowboarding, and figure skating. This year's Games are expected to be more geographically diverse than previous ones, reflecting Italy's rich mountainous landscape.

The 2026 Winter Olympics have attracted a star-studded lineup of athletes from around the world, with Team USA fielding an impressive roster of 232 athletes. The US team includes Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Ilia Malinin, among others. Other top performers are expected to include Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Germany's biathlon stars, and Austria's cross-country skiing sensations.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will also feature a range of new events, including ski mountaineering, which makes its Olympic debut. This thrilling new sport combines uphill endurance racing with downhill speed, challenging athletes to conquer steep alpine terrain before unleashing their speed demons down the mountain.

For casual fans, some must-watch events include downhill skiing, figure skating, snowboard halfpipe, and speed skating. However, ice hockey will become more accessible once the knockout rounds begin, when teams are guaranteed to be at full strength.

A major change this year is that there won't be a single Olympic village; instead, athletes from six different villages will be spread across northern Italy, reflecting the varied landscapes of their host cities. These villages include Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Livigno, Bormio, Predazzo, and Anterselva.

Tickets for the Winter Olympics range in price but can cost several hundred euros for high-demand events like figure skating finals and hockey medal games. However, there are some lower-priced options available for early-round competitions. The Olympic village will be more decentralized than previous Games, with athletes housed in six villages across northern Italy, using a mix of new constructions, temporary structures, and existing hotels.

In terms of security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have confirmed that they will have a role in supporting the safety and security of the US team during the Games. However, this has sparked controversy among some local leaders and opposition parties, who are protesting the presence of ICE agents at the Olympics.

The bottom line is that the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics promise to be an exciting and action-packed event that brings together world-class athletes from around the globe. With a range of thrilling new events, star-studded performances, and a decentralized Olympic village, this year's Games are sure to be one for the ages.

I'm hyped for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, but what's up with ICE agents being present at the Games? It's gotta raise some serious questions about inclusivity and safety for athletes from underrepresented communities. What if they're not treated equally or have access issues due to their immigration status? The Olympics should be a celebration of human achievement, not a platform for controversy.

Also, I love the idea of having multiple Olympic villages across northern Italy - it's gonna be so cool to see athletes from different countries and sports interacting with each other! But what about accessibility for fans? Will there be affordable ticket options or ways for people to watch the Games if they can't attend in person?

I'm kinda hyped for these Olympics, but at the same time I'm worried about the environment . Six cities across northern Italy? That sounds like a lot of carbon footprint . Not to mention all the tourists gonna flock to Cortina d'Ampezzo and cause some congestion . The new events sound cool tho - ski mountaineering is giving me life ! I'm also stoked that there's more geographically diverse competition this time around, it'll be interesting to see how athletes from different countries perform on different terrain . And omg, can we talk about the athletes' rosters? Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin are back, but who's gonna step up and give them a run for their money?

man i'm so hyped for these olympics but like we all know how it goes... athletes will probably get injured and it'll just be another example of how rich ppl get richer by being super good at sports meanwhile curling is literally still a thing . but seriously, the new events like ski mountaineering sound wild! ilia malinin better bring his a game lol. and yeah, ice hockey will finally become more accessible for casual fans ️

omg u guys I'm literally counting down the days until 2026 winter olympics Milano Cortina is gonna be AMAZING!!! I mean have u seen the lineup? lindsey vonn, mikaela shiffrin, ilia malinin... and all these other talented athletes from around the world? it's like a dream come true! and new events like ski mountaineering? yes pls! i'm already imagining myself cheering on my fave athletes at the speed skating event and btw can we talk about how awesome it is that there won't be just one village anymore? six villages across northern Italy? it's like a winter wonderland

Ticket prices are outta control what's up with that? shouldnt it be more inclusive for casual fans who wanna catch some decent games? also, gonna be super weird having 6 villages instead of one and what's the point of ski mountaineering if it's just gonna be uphill endurance racing lol

It looks like it's time to get your adrenaline pumping! "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." - FDR

The 2026 Winter Olympics are gonna be lit! I'm so stoked to see Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Ilia Malinin crush it on the slopes. And can we talk about these new events like ski mountaineering? That sounds insane! It's also cool that they're having multiple Olympic villages instead of one big village - I feel like it'll be way more chill to hang out with all the athletes from different countries and cities. And, of course, who doesn't love watching ice hockey for the first time? ️ It's gonna be a wild ride with all these awesome athletes and events!

I'm super stoked about the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy - it's gonna be epic! The fact that they're spread across six venues is gonna add some serious variety to the competition. I'm loving the new events, like ski mountaineering, which sounds like a total adrenaline rush ‍. And with so many top performers from around the world, we can expect some seriously fierce battles on the slopes .

I'm also curious about the decentralized Olympic village setup - it's gonna be cool to see athletes living in different villages across northern Italy, each one reflecting its unique landscape . But I do hope they get those ICE agents under control, haha! Anyway, bring on the Milano Cortina Games and let's get ready for some serious winter sports action!

I'm so hyped for these Olympics!!! I mean, 6 venues across northern Italy? That's like, crazy! And they're bringing back superstars like Lindsey Vonn? Iconic girl! But, can we talk about how cool it is that ski mountaineering is making its Olympic debut? Like, who wouldn't want to watch athletes conquer steep mountains before unleashing their speed demons on the downhill? It's gonna be a wild ride! And I love how the Olympic village will be more decentralized - it'll be so lit to see all these different villages spread across northern Italy. Plus, can we talk about how expensive tickets are gonna be? Like, hundreds of euros for figure skating finals? That's crazy! But hey, at least they're offering some lower-priced options for early-round competitions... fingers crossed I can score some tickets

omg i just saw that the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is on already i was literally expecting it to start like next week lol. anyway, i think its awesome how they're mixing up the traditional events with new ones like ski mountaineering - its gonna be so cool to watch! also, having 6 villages instead of one is a great idea, its gonna feel way more relaxed and spread out

idk why they're making it 6 cities but it sounds like its gonna be lit cant wait to see lindsey vonn and ilia malinin kill the slopes also that new ski mountaineering event is crazy who's with me on the ice hockey being more accessible thing? ️ should be a game changer for casual fans

OMG u guys cant even imagine how EPIC this olympics is gonna b!!! The fact that they got 6 different venues in northern Italy is like whoa! Imagine competing with the backdrop of the mountains and lakes, it's like a whole new level of chill vibes But let's get real for a sec, I'm low-key hyped about the new events like ski mountaineering tho... has anyone even tried this sport before?

I'm getting so hyped for these Olympics !!! It's been ages since I've seen Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin compete, and now they're back on the scene! And can we talk about the new events? Ski mountaineering?! That sounds insane . I love how the Games are trying to mix things up with some fresh competitions.

But seriously though, have you seen the lineup for this year's Olympics? It's like a Who's Who of winter sports royalty . And I'm all about that new Olympic village setup – it's gonna be so cool to see athletes from different disciplines coming together in these six villages across Italy.

I do wish they wouldn't make it so expensive, though . A few hundred euros for figure skating finals? No thanks! And what's with the security thingy? I get that safety first, but come on, can't we just have a chill Olympics without all the drama?

Anyway, I'm def gonna be tuning in to some of these events, especially downhill skiing and speed skating. Those guys are so crazy fast ! And with the ice hockey getting more accessible, I'm hoping for an epic tournament. Bring on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, it's gonna be a wild ride!

I'm so stoked that the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here! I mean, who doesn't love the idea of six different venues spread across northern Italy? It's gonna be sick to see all these talented athletes competing in events like ski mountaineering and speed skating . And with Team USA having an awesome lineup of Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Ilia Malinin, I'm expecting some serious competition . Plus, the decentralized Olympic village is a game-changer – no more being stuck in one place all day . But, gotta say, I'm a bit concerned about the security situation with ICE agents showing up at the Games... not sure how that's gonna affect the overall vibe .