Wednesday, October 29 marks 100 days until the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina (February 6). The Olympic torch relay begins in December, starting in Rome and passing through all the provinces of Italy, before the Olympic torch is carried to Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, which will host the opening ceremony.
How advanced are the preparations for the Olympic Games?
The Winter Games will be expensive, that much is certain – the total investment for the Olympics is expected to be around €3.5 billion ($4.7 billion). It includes a total of 98 projects, of which 47 are directly related to winter sports. However, according to data from infrastructure company Simico, one in four of the planned projects will not be completed in time for the Games.
For example, construction of the new ice hockey arena is not expected to be completed until shortly before the opening ceremony on February 6. An event organized to test the facility before the start of the Games had to be postponed.
“It will be very close to the start of the Games, the schedule is very busy, but we were aware of that,” said Andrea Vernier, managing director of the Milan-Cortina local organizing committee.
Despite various problems, including some cosmetic imperfections, the actual competition venue is expected to be ready in time for the start of the Games. The ski jumping stadium in Cortina, which hosted the 1956 Winter Games, will be ready for competition, but its renovation will not be completed until next summer.
What about security measures?
The Italian government has declared security for the Olympic Games a top priority, although it is difficult to ascertain how much is being spent. In April, organizers announced a revised overall operating budget of “approximately €1.7 billion”, an increase of €100 million from the previously reported amount.
In 2019, when Milan and Cortina were still the only bidders, the Italian government committed €415 million in security costs.
“Security is an essential pillar of the success of the Games,” said Chief Sports Operations Officer Andrea Francis. International Security Briefing Hosted by Milan in late September.
“Italy – thanks to the excellence of its law enforcement bodies and the strength of its inter-institutional cooperation – is ready to face this challenge with professionalism, foresight and a strong team spirit.”
Italy’s Defense Ministry will be responsible for air defence, with the Air Force on 24/7 standby. A total of around 11,000 police and military personnel are expected to be mobilized for the Games.
How sustainable are winter sports?
In their bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics, organizers promised to prioritize economic and environmental sustainability. But this would not be the first time that stability was promised but not fulfilled.
The fragile ecosystem of the Alps will be under enormous pressure: new ski lifts, reservoirs for artificial snow production, slopes and roads. Especially in times of increasing snow shortage, slopes at medium and lower altitudes will need to be covered with artificial snow – the use of snow cannons and increased tourist traffic are already putting pressure on the area and endangering the local ecosystem.
At the center of criticism is the construction of a new bobsled track in Cortina. To make space for the track, 500 to 600 year old trees had to be cut. Moreover, the operation and maintenance costs in future will put a heavy burden on the public exchequer.
What is the mood of the Olympics in the host country?
The fact that many venues will remain construction sites during the Winter Games may spoil the atmosphere of anticipation among athletes and visitors. A particular cause for concern is the delay in completion of some roads, with many fearing that this could create major traffic problems.
However, a survey in early January commissioned by Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola and conducted by Italian pollster SWG showed that 62% of Italians are proud to host the Winter Games and 59% percent see the event as a means of strengthening national unity.
According to the same study, nearly 70% of those surveyed say they plan to follow sports with “passion and curiosity”, with the figure rising to nearly 65% among those under 30.
How many athletes will participate in the Winter Games?
More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will compete for 195 medals across 16 Olympic disciplines and six Paralympic sports, according to the Milano Cortina 2026 official website.
This article was originally published in German. Chuck Penfold contributed to this article.
Edited by: Jonathan Harding