Milan Cortina 2026: in a year’s time, the arrival of the Olympic and Paralympic Flames in Cortina d’Ampezzo

It is just over a year until the arrival in Cortina d’Ampezzo of the Olympic and Paralympic Flames, symbols of unity, hope and sporting passion. The flames will cross Italy in a journey that unites territories, communities and universal values, arriving even in our city, the beating heart of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Expected arrival January 26, 2026

The Journey of the Olympic Flame will begin on November 26, 2025 with the lighting of the sacred fire in Olympia, Greece. After a long 63-day journey that will touch all 110 Italian provinces, the Flame will reach Cortina d’Ampezzo on Jan. 26, 2026, a date charged with significance: on that very day, 70 years ago, Cortina hosted the Opening Ceremony of the first Winter Olympic Games held in Italy. The Flame will be welcomed in an official ceremony in Angelo Dibona Square.

The next day it will continue its journey of several stops before arriving at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games on Feb. 6, 2026 at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.

The Journey of the Paralympic Flame

The Paralympic Flame, lit on Feb. 24, 2026, in Stoke Mandeville, England, will stop in Cortina on March 3, 2026, for a unique ceremony: the coming together of the Paralympic Flames gathered at Flame Festivals throughout Italy. This special moment will be held in the foothills of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ideally uniting the beauty of nature with the values of inclusiveness and resilience that distinguish the Paralympic movement.

After the uniting event, the Paralympic Flame will resume its journey, concluding at the Arena in Verona on March 6, 2026, for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games. The Flame’s stop in Cortina and the Flames’ union ceremony underscores the city’s role not only as a stage for major sports competitions, but also as a promoter of the values of inclusiveness and resilience. This extraordinary moment confirms Cortina as a benchmark for hosting and organizing events that celebrate the best of humanity through sport.

Paralympic closing ceremony here

Cortina will also star in the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games, March 15, 2026 at Olympic Ice Stadium. An event that will celebrate the conclusion of the competitions and pay tribute to the athletes and the public who participated in this extraordinary edition of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Cortina at the center of the celebration

These events, from the passing of the Flame to the Closing Ceremony, once again underscore Cortina’s role as the beating heart of the Games, not only for the competitions but also for the most symbolic and significant moments of the event.

Always an iconic place for winter sports, the city is ready to shine once again, uniting community and visitors in a message of unity, peace and celebration.

For more details, keep following the section dedicated to the Olympics and Paralympics on the official website of the City of Cortina d’Ampezzo.