Italy Beats Sweden For Bid To Host 2026 Winter Olympics, Games To Be Held In Milan-Cortina

For the first time since Turin 2006, Italy was chosen on Monday to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2026.

Northern Italy was one of only two finalists, with the other being a joint bid between Stockholm and a ski resort in Are, Sweden. Due to the Stockholm/Are bid being both hesitant and skeptical, Northern Italy easily won the favor of the International Olympic Committee, as most people predicted happening.

Fewer cities than ever have been able to afford the billions of dollars needed to host the Olympics. Thus, the bids for the 2026 Olympics have shown what the future of bidding will be. That is, multiple cities (possibly even countries) collaborating.

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Italy’s win became all but solidified due to a lack of commitment from Stockholm’s bid. Stockholm previously dropped out of the running to host the 2022 Winter Olympics due to financial reasons, so a lack of commitment to host the games in 2026 does not come across as all that surprising. Even several months ago, it seemed as if Italy’s bid was on its way to dematerializing. However, after a recent poll revealed that over 80% of Italians supported the hosting of the Olympic games, Italy unified to make sure that the final bid and ultimate victory came into fruition.

Italy has also embraced the idea of multiple cities that will host different parts of the 2026 Winter Games. The Games are set to be spread across Northern Italy from Milan to Cortina. The opening ceremony will be held at Milan’s new San Siro stadium, and the closing ceremonies will occur at an amphitheater in Verona.

Bidding for the 2026 Games experienced a withered field of candidates as public interest flagged or rose in opposition in Calgary, Alberta; Sion, Switzerland; Graz, Austria; and Sapporo, Japan.

For Italy, this is a big win, as the entire country seems to be in complete unity with their excitement to host the world’s largest sporting event.