The prestigious Italian mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo is experiencing a significant surge in interest from world leaders and royalty ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, according to the town's mayor.
VIP Interest Outshines Expectations
In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday 25 November 2025, Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi confirmed that the allure of the luxury resort, nestled within the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, has proven irresistible to numerous heads of state. The mayor quipped that the high level of interest has been so pronounced that the Games are now being perceived as "Cortina Milan" rather than "Milan Cortina."
While Mayor Lorenzi declined to specify which world leaders would be making the trip, he confirmed that officials are actively working on detailed plans to accommodate them. A key part of these preparations includes the construction of a helipad to facilitate easier arrivals, a crucial consideration given the vast geographical spread of the Games across northern Italy. The road journey between the two host cities, Milan and Cortina, can take five hours or more.
Cortina's Olympic Spotlight
Although the main opening ceremony is scheduled for the San Siro stadium in Milan on 6 February 2026, Cortina will host its own parallel ceremony featuring an athletes' parade and the lighting of an Olympic cauldron. The town is set to be a hub of world-class competition, hosting the curling, sliding events (bobsled, luge, and skeleton), and the highly anticipated women's Alpine skiing.
The women's skiing events are expected to be a major draw, with stars like Americans Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin and home favourite Sofia Goggia slated to compete. For Mayor Lorenzi, a former Italian national curling team member who competed in three European championships (1997, 1999, and 2000), the curling events hold a special place. However, he admitted his official duties hosting VIPs may prevent him from enjoying the matches as he would wish.
A Lasting Legacy for the Alpine Resort
The Olympic preparations have also accelerated major infrastructure projects. The Italian government is rushing to complete the rebuilding of Cortina's century-old sliding centre at a cost of 118 million euros (approximately $136 million), a project that became essential after the International Olympic Committee suggested using tracks in Austria or Switzerland instead.
For Cortina, which previously hosted the Winter Games in 1956, the 2026 Olympics represent a golden opportunity for international reinvention. Mayor Lorenzi highlighted that the global spotlight has already started to boost international visitor numbers in recent years. He sees the event as a platform to attract further investment, forge international partnerships, and establish twin-city relationships, ultimately cementing Cortina's status as a premier destination for both winter and summer Alpine tourism for years to come.
