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It might be summer in Australia, but many of the nation’s top skiers and snowboarders are training hard for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This year’s Milano-Cortina event will be the most geographically widespread Winter Games in history, with competitions spanning eight main locations in Northern Italy, including Milan, Livigno and Verona. More than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will compete for 195 medals in 16 disciplines – from alpine skiing and bobsleigh to curling, figure skating and ice hockey.
After Australia’s best-ever Winter Olympics performance in Beijing 2022, our athletes are aiming even higher in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
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When is the Winter Olympics 2026?
The next Winter Olympics will run from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 22. The Opening Ceremony will be held in Milan’s famed San Siro Stadium on February 6, featuring a live performance by the legendary Mariah Carey, while the Closing Ceremony will take place at Verona Arena on February 22. The first competition will actually begin two days before the Opening Ceremony, with mixed curling on December 4.
The Paralympic Winter Games will follow from March 6 to 15, 2026.
Where are the Winter Olympics 2026?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in northern Italy, marking the first Games to be hosted across two cities: Milano and Cortina. Covering a total area of 22,000 square kilometres, it will be the most geographically widespread Winter Games in history, with eight different competition and ceremony venues.
This two-city approach allows the hosts to maximise existing infrastructure – including Roman amphitheatres and world-class ski slopes – with just three new venues built for the Games.
How many sports are in the Winter Olympics?
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics will feature 16 different sports disciplines, including alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined, short track speed skating, skeleton, ski jumping, snowboarding and speed skating. Ski mountaineering is the only sport making its Olympic debut in 2026.
How to watch the Winter Olympics on TV in Australia?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be broadcast live and free in Australia on the 9Network. You can also watch on-demand highlights for free after they’ve happened at your own convenience on its 9Now streaming platform. It can be accessed on your web browser or through your Smart TV, mobile or tablet after downloading the app.
How many medals did Australia win at the 2022 Winter Olympics?
Australia won four medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, including gold for Jakara Anthony in moguls, silver for Scotty James in the snowboard halfpipe and Jaclyn Narracott in skeleton, and bronze for Tess Coady in snowboard slopestyle. Norway topped the medal table for the third consecutive Winter Games, bringing home 37 medals in total.
Which Australians are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Australia is expected to send 50 to 60 athletes across 12 sports to the 2026 Winter Olympics. The first members of the Australian team were announced on January 19, including figure skaters Anastasiia
The full team will be finalised in late January, but other athletes to watch out for include defending 2022 Olympic gold medallist freestyle skier Jakara Anthony, triple Olympian Matt Graham, 2022 snowboard bronze medallist Tess Coady, and 2022 Olympic alpine skier Louis Muhlen-Schulte.
How to get tickets for the Winter Olympics 2026?
Fancy seeing the action live or just need an excuse to book a trip to Italy? Tickets for Milano-Cortina 2026 are still available through the official ticketing website here.
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