The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will feature a historic first for the Games, with two cauldrons set to be lit simultaneously in different locations. Organisers have confirmed that for the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history, cauldrons in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be ignited and extinguished at the same time.
The design of the cauldrons, now unveiled, is a striking sun-like structure inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s intricate knot patterns. The Renaissance master spent nearly 25 years of his life in Milan, where he produced many of his most celebrated works.
These innovative cauldrons are engineered to open and close, expanding their diameter from 3.1 metres to 4.5 metres, with the Olympic flame housed within a glass and metal core. The Milan cauldron will be situated at the city’s Arco della Pace, while Cortina’s will grace Piazza Dibona.
Both will be ignited concurrently during the opening ceremony on 6 February and extinguished on 22 February. They will then host the Paralympic flame from 6 to 15 March. Additionally, a special three to five-minute show will run hourly at the Milan cauldron each evening throughout the Olympics.
