2026 Winter Olympics

Twenty years after Turin 2006, the Winter Olympics return to Italy with an innovative concept, splitting the competitions between Milan and the Dolomites. Besides the city of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the events will take place in various locations, including Anterselva in South Tyrol, which will host the eleven biathlon competitions from February 8 to 21, 2026.

Anterselva, with its biathlon stadium now renamed to Olympic Arena Südtirol/Alto Adige, was a natural choice. Continuously modernised, the facility has been an international benchmark for biathlon, the sport combining cross-country skiing and shooting, since 1971. Anterselva has already hosted six Biathlon World Championships and annually hosts World Cup races.

Dorothea Wierer, the biathlete from Rasun di Sotto who won two consecutive overall World Cup titles (2019 and 2020) and, together with Lisa Vittozzi from Cadore, forms the spearhead of the Italian team, grew up near the Anterselva tracks and shooting range. Perhaps in 2026, on home snow, she will fulfil her dream of an Olympic medal.

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The Olympic Flame burns in South Tyrol too

Three days in South Tyrol: Coming from Cortina, the torch will arrive in South Tyrol's Upper Val Pusteria on January 27, 2026. Shortly before 10 am, the torchbearers are expected in Dobbiaco, after which the relay will continue to Villabassa. Around midday, it will pass through Rasun Anterselva and Brunico, where a small delegation will carry the flame up to Mt. Plan de Corones. In the afternoon, the Olympic flame is expected in Bressanone and then in Bolzano in the evening, where a large celebration is planned in Piazza Walther from 7.30 pm.

On Wednesday, January 28, the Olympic flame will continue its journey from South Tyrol into the neighbouring provinces. Early in the morning, it will be carried on skis from Ortisei in Val Gardena to the Sellaronda, and then by skijoring into the Val di Fassa. Around midday, it will return to South Tyrol at Lake Carezza, from where the torch will move on to Cavalese.

The area around Merano is also on the schedule: On Thursday, January 29, the 53rd stage of the Olympic torch relay will start in Merano. Shortly after midday, the torch will reach Appiano on the Wine Road and continue to Caldaro, before arriving in Termeno in the afternoon, its final stop in South Tyrol. The stage will conclude in Trento, where a celebration for the torch relay will take place in the evening. The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, on November 26, 2025:

At the ceremony, Armin Zöggeler, South Tyrol's former exceptional luge athlete and the first athlete in Olympic history to win a medal in the same discipline at six consecutive Winter Games, was the third torchbearer after Stefania Belmondo and Petros Gaidatzis.

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Discover biathlon and South Tyrol

The Anterselva Valley and the Pusteria Valley boast a solid sporting tradition and extensive experience with international events: sport and quality tourism go hand in hand here. The 2026 Games offer you not just the chance to experience top-level sports competitions live, but also to discover the Val Pusteria with its ski resorts, culinary specialities and authentic Alpine culture.

Thanks to its strategic location, you can easily reach Cortina d'Ampezzo, home to one of the three Olympic Villages, and attend the women's alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, luge, and curling competitions of the XXV Winter Olympics.

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Cairns as a symbol for the Olympics

At five connecting points between the Olympic venues, art installations can be seen that recall the "Stoanerne Mandln". These stone cairns, called "Stone Men", are a common sight in the mountains of South Tyrol. The stone installations in San Lorenzo di Sebato, Anterselva, Ora, Silandro, and along the road from Dobbiaco to Cortina d'Ampezzo represent the five Olympic rings and recall the Olympic values: peace, competition, respect, and community.

They were designed by Mario Varesco, an architect and designer from Bolzano, and Marco Fontanesi, a PR manager from Bolzano, and were built by a company from Appiano.

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Paralympic Winter Games

Following the Winter Olympics in February, the XIV Paralympic Winter Games will take place in Italy from March 6 to 15, 2026. This is another important sporting event, sure to tell countless stories of courage and determination.

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Planned mobility management

A red zone with ID checks is planned from Anterselva di Mezzo onwards. At the valley entrance, a yellow zone will also be designated where vehicles will be checked. Public transport (bus route 431) will be free of charge for both locals and visitors - Anterselva should remain fully accessible by public transport.

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Interesting facts

The Province of South Tyrol has signed an agreement with the Department for Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior and the South Tyrolean Transport Structures Ltd (STA) at the Safety Park driving safety centre in Vadena.

A special unit of the State Police, the First Response Operational Unit - North East Department based in Lombardy, will use the driving safety centre to complete several courses: The unit will then be deployed at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, a major event also in South Tyrol.

"What We Carry" is the title of an exhibition at the Museion in Bolzano, running from November 2025 to March 2026 and dedicated entirely to the Olympic flame. The display features 43 historic and modern torches from the private collection of Stefano Podini, exploring themes such as cultural heritage, power, sustainability and the evolution of the Olympic Games' values since 1936.

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Useful links

• Official ticket sales for the Games
• International Paralympic Committee
• Find your ideal accommodation in the Val Pusteria

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