All productsWhen Are the Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics, known as Milano Cortina 2026, will take place from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This exciting event features 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering, along with the return of NHL players since 2014.
What Is the Winter Olympics?
The Winter Olympics is a global event held every four years, showcasing the world’s best athletes in snow and ice sports. The 2026 games in Milan and Cortina mark Italy’s fourth time hosting. With sports such as skiing, skating, and hockey, Milano Cortina 2026 promises to be a thrilling spectacle. The event is committed to sustainability, utilizing existing venues and modern arenas to reduce environmental impact.
Expect exciting competitions with over 2,800 athletes from more than 90 countries. Milan will host ice events, while Cortina, Valtellina, and other mountain regions will manage snow sports. This format enhances accessibility and celebrates Italy’s rich alpine heritage.
Where Are the 2026 Winter Olympics Held?
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics, with ice events in Milan and snow sports in Cortina, Valtellina, and Fiemme valleys. Milan’s Stadio San Siro will serve as the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Efficient logistics are ensured with Milan’s PalaSharp hosting figure skating, and Cortina’s Olympic Ice Stadium for curling. Valtellina and Val di Fiemme will feature alpine skiing and cross-country events, respectively. These compact locations reduce travel times and help meet the Olympics’ environmental goals, with breathtaking Dolomite views adding to the excitement.
When Do the 2026 Winter Olympics Start?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will officially begin on February 6, with the Opening Ceremony, and will conclude on February 22 with the Closing Ceremony at the Verona Arena.
The 17-day event will feature thrilling competitions, with daily medals awarded across a variety of sports, from biathlon to bobsleigh. Early days focus on qualifying rounds, leading to intense finals and relays. European time zones will make viewing easier for local audiences, and global streaming will ensure fans around the world can follow the action.
Which Sports Feature at the Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature 116 events across 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering and the introduction of new events such as dual moguls, doubles luge, and women’s ski jumping.
| Discipline | Key Events | New for 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Skiing | Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill | Team Combined |
| Freestyle Skiing | Moguls, Big Air, Halfpipe | Dual Moguls |
| Snowboard | Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Cross | Mixed Team |
| Biathlon | Sprint, Pursuit, Relay | – |
| Ice Hockey | Men’s, Women’s | NHL Players |
These sports highlight speed, skill, and strategy, offering a variety of competitive events to appeal to different audiences.
Who Are the Top Nations and Athletes?
The USA leads with 233 athletes, followed by Canada (205), Italy (196), and Germany (189). Top athletes to watch include Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who is set to chase more golds, and USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin, who continues to dominate in alpine skiing. Team Great Britain celebrates its first-ever snow gold through snowboard cross, while Brazil’s skiers will make history with South America’s debut Olympic medals.
The event promises to bring exciting rivalries and moments of national pride, with athletes representing their countries on the global stage.
Why Include New Sports in 2026?
The inclusion of ski mountaineering at the 2026 Winter Olympics brings fresh excitement, featuring sprint and relay events that enhance the overall competition. The addition also helps promote gender equality, with women now making up 47% of participants in the sport.
New events like dual moguls and mixed relay competitions aim to engage younger audiences, while the return of NHL players elevates the profile of ice hockey. The organizers have carefully balanced tradition with innovation, ensuring the event remains dynamic and relevant to modern fans.
How Do Display Solutions Enhance Olympic Viewing?
Gesight’s high-brightness LCDs are integral in enhancing the Olympic viewing experience. With a 3000-nit brightness, their custom TFT modules ensure clear visibility on jumbotrons, even in sunny outdoor arenas. These displays also feature optical bonding, which eliminates glare, providing a crisp and vivid viewing experience for fans.
Gesight’s ruggedized, touch-integrated solutions power fan zones and broadcast trucks. Their customizable interfaces, such as HDMI and MIPI, support seamless live feeds. Additionally, Gesight’s vertically integrated engineering services optimize solutions for environmental testing and EMI/EMC interference, ensuring smooth and reliable broadcasts across more than 40 countries.
What Are the Official 2026 Olympic Mascots?
Tina the stoat and Milo the red fox are the official mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympics, inspired by the local wildlife in the Trentino region. These playful characters symbolize the spirit of the Games and are featured in various merchandise, from plush toys to clothing.
Tina and Milo embody the energy and excitement of the Winter Olympics, engaging fans of all ages. Tourists flock to official stores in Milan and Cortina to purchase these mascots, contributing to the local economy while boosting the Games’ global appeal.
Gesight Expert Views
“Milano Cortina 2026 demands cutting-edge displays for harsh alpine conditions. At Gesight, our custom LCD modules shine with 3000-nit high-brightness TFT and IPS panels from BOE, AUO, and LG, paired with capacitive touch and rugged cover glass. We’ve optimized LVDS and eDP interfaces for real-time scoring boards and AR-enhanced viewer experiences, ensuring zero downtime via our Shenzhen production lines’ 10K daily capacity. As NHL stars hit the ice, our EMI-tuned solutions deliver flawless broadcasts to 40+ countries.”
— Li Wei, Gesight CTO
Gesight’s advanced display technology is a key part of the behind-the-scenes action that powers unforgettable Olympic moments.
How Can Custom Displays Improve Fan Experiences?
Gesight’s OLED and TN display modules, integrated with Type-C connectivity, enable mobile Olympic viewing stations for fans. Optical bonding reduces screen reflections, ensuring a clear view of the action no matter the lighting conditions.
Gesight’s customizable solutions can be incorporated into Olympic apps, providing interactive stats and live updates. Additionally, the modules are rigorously tested to perform reliably in extreme cold temperatures, making them perfect for outdoor winter sports. These displays offer affordable scalability, making them ideal for venues of all sizes, enhancing the fan experience without breaking the budget.
Conclusion
Milano Cortina 2026 promises an unforgettable experience, blending Italy’s rich history with exciting new sports, world-class athletes, and eco-friendly venues. Key takeaways include the thrilling addition of ski mountaineering, the return of NHL hockey, and Gesight’s cutting-edge display solutions that elevate every Olympic moment. For the best experience, stream the games live and enhance your viewing setup with Gesight’s high-brightness LCDs for a glare-free, immersive event.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Winter Olympics end?
The Closing Ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Verona Arena, wrapping up 17 exciting days of competition.
Which country has the most athletes?
The USA will field the largest team with 233 athletes, followed by Canada and host country Italy.
Are NHL players competing?
Yes, NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014, thanks to an agreement with the IIHF.
What new sport debuts?
Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut, featuring both men’s and women’s sprints and a mixed relay event.
Where can you buy Olympic mascot merchandise?
Official stores in Milan and Cortina offer Tina and Milo plush toys and other mascot merchandise for fans to take home.