Where Are the 2026 Winter Olympics Taking Place?

Italy’s 2026 edition will be a joint hosted Winter Games, with events split between:

• Milan: The bustling northern city taking charge of most indoor ice events such as figure skating and ice hockey.
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: The iconic Alpine resort responsible for snow and sliding sports like alpine skiing, bobsleigh and luge.

A total of 15 venues spread across northern and north eastern Italy will stage the competitions.

It’s not unfamiliar territory for the hosts. 2026 marks their third Winter Olympics, and Cortina d’Ampezzo returns to the spotlight after its first hosting in 1956.

Key Dates for the 2026 Winter Games.

Both the Winter Olympics and the Paralympics follow their traditional four year cycle, with the Winter and Summer Games staggered by two years.

• Winter Olympics: 6 February – 22 February 2026
• Paralympic Winter Games: 6 March – 15 March 2026

More than 3,500 athletes from 93 nations will compete for 195 medals across 16 Olympic disciplines and six Paralympic sports.

New Sport Making Its Olympic Debut.

Only one completely new sport joins the Olympic programme in 2026: Ski Mountaineering, or skimo.

This high endurance discipline sees athletes racing both uphill and downhill, switching between skiing and running depending on the terrain.

Skimo will award medals in:

• Men’s sprint
• Women’s sprint
• Mixed-gender relay

New Events Added for Milan–Cortina.

Beyond the debut of skimo, several new events will appear at the Winter Games for the first time:

• Women’s doubles: (Luge)
• Women’s large hill: (Ski Jumping)
• Mixed team: (Skeleton)
• Dual moguls: (men and women), (Freestyle Skiing)
• Team combined: (Alpine Skiing)

These additions reflect the IOC’s ongoing move towards greater gender balance and event diversity.

South Africa’s Rising Winter Olympic Team.

South Africa is not a winter sports powerhouse by any means. No teams in 2014 and 2022 were sent. Thankfully, 2026 looks set to be a big year, potentially delivering the largest squad SA has ever sent to the Winter Olympics.

Meet the athletes aiming to fly the flag in Italy:

Lara Markthaler: Alpine Skiing.

Known as the “Pink Tornado” thanks to her signature pink hair, the 18 year old German/South African has already booked her place.

• Competed at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
• Achieved a top-30 finish at the World Ski Championships.
• Will compete in giant slalom and slalom.

Her rapid climb in one of the Winter Games’ most elite disciplines is a great achievement for a country with limited winter sports amenities.

Matt Smith: Cross-Country Skiing.

Capetonian now based in Norway, Smith has earned the nickname “The Snowbok.”

• Took up skiing only a few years ago.
• Qualified through consistent international results.
• Aims to be the top finisher among smaller-nation competitors.

Smith hopes his journey encourages more South Africans to consider snow sports as an option.

Gian-Quen Isaacs – Figure Skating.

A rising star from Cape Town, Isaacs is aiming to become the first South African figure skater at the Olympics since 1998.

• Posted personal bests in recent qualifiers
• Inspired by South African swimming star Chad le Clos
• Still in the qualification process but seen as a strong contender

If successful, her appearance would mark a major milestone for South African ice sports.

Why 2026 Matters for South Africa.

For a country typically associated with rugby, soccer and cricket, the upcoming Winter Olympics could be a springboard for growth in an unexpected direction. South Africa’s potential squad reflects years of individual effort and disciplined training.

Whether these athletes return with medals, milestones or simply personal victories, Milan 2026 could be a fire starter amid the cold for South African presence at future Winter Games.