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Milan prepares for a historic Winter Olympic Games

The iconic San Siro stadium in the city of Milan is preparing to host one of the most symbolic moments in its long history, as it will stage the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

This event represents more than just the start of a highly anticipated global competition; it is set to serve as a final farewell to one of the most famous football stadiums on the international stage, after nearly a century during which it witnessed some of the greatest matches and unforgettable footballing moments.

The name “San Siro” has long been associated with the history of AC Milan and Inter, and it has been regarded as a “temple” of Italian and European football. However, the historic stadium is now preparing for a new and different phase, as it will open the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics with a grand ceremony featuring the parade of participating national delegations, in an event expected to capture the attention of the entire world. After this historic night, the stadium will enter the final chapter of its story, before making way for a major urban development project that includes the construction of a modern, state-of-the-art stadium.

Local authorities in Milan had previously approved the sale of more than 28 hectares of public land on which the stadium stands to Inter and Milan for approximately €197 million. The two clubs, owned by American investment funds, plan to build a new stadium with a capacity exceeding 71,000 spectators west of the current site, ready to host matches at Euro 2032, which will be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey. Once the project is completed, San Siro will be almost entirely demolished to make way for green spaces and recreational and office facilities, reflecting a modern vision for the area’s development.

The largest Olympics globally

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are considered among the most expansive in terms of geographical spread, with competitions taking place across several regions in northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo serving as the main hubs.

Around 3,500 male and female athletes will take part in 116 events across 16 different disciplines, over 19 days of competition. The Games will officially begin with the opening ceremony at San Siro, with the first medals to be awarded the following day, while the closing ceremony will be held at the Verona Olympic Arena on 22 February.

The opening ceremony this year will have a unique character, as it will be held for the first time across multiple locations, with the main event centered at San Siro in front of around 60,000 spectators. Other cities such as Predazzo, Livigno and Cortina will host parallel celebratory events. The program will include artistic performances by Italian and international stars, most notably American pop icon Mariah Carey, with the participation of more than 1,300 performers and volunteers from 27 countries.

The sports featured in this edition range from alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey and figure skating, to newer disciplines such as ski mountaineering, which will make its Olympic debut. Freestyle snowboarding events are also expected to attract a large young audience.

Competition for the top of the medal table is expected to be fierce, with Norway aiming to maintain its historic dominance against the United States, China, Germany and Canada.

This edition also stands out for achieving the highest level of gender balance in the history of the Winter Games, with women’s participation exceeding 47% and a record number of women’s events.

From an organizational and security standpoint, Italy has put in place a comprehensive plan to ensure the smooth running of the Games, confirming that it will retain full control over all security operations, despite the involvement of some international bodies in logistical support.

The total budget for the Games is estimated at around €5.2 billion, amid expectations of significant economic returns, including boosting tourism, developing infrastructure and improving transport networks. The Italian government hopes the Games will deliver long-term benefits for local communities, with an expected two million visitors and global viewership exceeding three billion people.

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