The flame that will ignite the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is set to begin its spectacular journey later this month, with organisers unveiling a 12,000-kilometre (7,455-mile) relay route that will criss-cross Italy for two months.
A Journey Through the Essence of Italy
The iconic Olympic torch relay is designed to build excitement for the Games, which run from 6 to 22 February 2026. The route will showcase Italy's rich heritage, passing legendary landmarks including Rome's Colosseum and Venice's Grand Canal. In a strategic move to foster enthusiasm for winter sports nationwide, the relay will also extend to southern regions, visiting cities such as Palermo and Naples.
Giovanni Malago, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, emphasised the symbolic power of the event. He stated that every step through Italy's cities would remind the world of sport's unique ability to build bridges and break down barriers, celebrating the very essence of the nation.
Key Dates and the Relay Schedule
The flame's odyssey officially commences on 26 November in Olympia, Greece, the historic home of the ancient Games. After a ceremony in Athens, Italian officials will receive the torch on 4 December. The Italian leg of this grand tour then kicks off from Rome on 6 December.
Each day of the relay will follow a rigorous schedule, starting at 7:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. GMT) and concluding twelve hours later with a ceremonial cauldron lighting in the final city of the day. The torch will spend the Christmas period in Naples and see in the New Year in the southern city of Bari.
A poignant highlight of the journey will occur on 26 January, when the torch arrives in Cortina d'Ampezzo, marking exactly 70 years since the opening ceremony of the 1956 Winter Games held there.
The Grand Finale in Milan
The extensive two-month journey will reach its dramatic conclusion at the opening ceremony in Milan. On the evening of 6 February 2026, the torch will make its grand entrance into the legendary San Siro stadium, signalling the official start of the Games.
This will be the third time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics, following the 1956 Games in Cortina and the 2006 edition in Turin. The upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 event continues Italy's proud legacy in winter sports.
