From the pitch to the track, 2026 offers a packed schedule with the FIFA World Cup and Glasgow Commonwealth Games on the horizon. Yet, before those summer highlights arrive, the world’s attention turns to the slopes of Italy. The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are officially here, and with Irish athletes competing in alpine and cross-country skiing, the stakes have never been higher. Here is your essential guide to the Games.
Key dates for the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Olympic Winter Games run from February 6, with the Opening Ceremony, to February 22, 2026. Meanwhile, the Paralympics follow shortly after from March 6 to March 15, 2026. Other important dates include:
- Feb 10: The massive USA vs. Canada women’s hockey group stage showdown.
- Feb 12: The NHL era officially restarts as the Men’s hockey tournament begins (keep an eye on USA vs. Latvia and Canada vs. Czechia).
- Feb 22: The Men’s Hockey Gold Medal game and the Closing Ceremony at the ancient Verona Arena.
Where do the 2026 Winter Olympics take place?
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are the first in history to be officially co-hosted by two cities. Milan serves as the urban hub for ice sports (hockey, skating), while Cortina d’Ampezzo hosts the snow and sliding events in the heart of the Dolomites. The Opening Ceremony will take place at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan.
How do I get tickets for the Games?
They are 100% digital. Everything is managed through the official Milano Cortina 2026 app. While some high-demand finals are sold out, prices for sports like curling and preliminary hockey started as low as €30.
Stories to watch at 2026 Winter Olympic Games
The Debut of “Skimo”
Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) is the newest Olympic sport. Think of it as a mountain marathon: athletes race uphill on skis, hike steep sections with skis on their backs, and then fly back down to the finish line.
Historic Gender Parity
According to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s), these are the most gender-balanced Winter Games ever, with 47% female participation. Also, 12 of the 16 disciplines (75%) will reach full gender balance in athlete numbers.
For the first time on the Olympic stage, female athletes will compete in freestyle skiing dual moguls, luge doubles, the ski jumping large individual hill, and the ski mountaineering sprint. Moreover, in a historic move toward parity, cross-country skiers will also compete over the same distances for both men and women for the first time in Winter Games history.
The NHL Return
For the first time since 2014, the world’s best hockey players are back. The NHL hiatus is over, meaning we’ll see stars like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Auston Matthews in their national colors.
Four Athletes to watch
1. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – Alpine Skiing
The Story: Already the winningest alpine skier of all time (surpassing 100 World Cup wins in late 2025), Shiffrin is looking for redemption. After a shocking medal-less run in Beijing 2022, she enters Italy in “unstoppable” form.
- Why watch: She could potentially win gold in multiple disciplines (Slalom and Giant Slalom). Every time she skis, history is being rewritten.
2. Connor McDavid (Canada) – Ice Hockey
The Story: He is widely considered the best hockey player on the planet, but because of the 12-year NHL Olympic break, he has never played in the Olympics. 2026 is his long-awaited debut.
- Why watch: McDavid is at the peak of his powers. Watching him team up with legends like Sidney Crosby for Team Canada will be the most-watched event of the Games.
3. Ilia Malinin (USA) – Figure Skating
The Story: Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin is the only human to ever land a quadruple Axel in competition. He recently won the Grand Prix Final with a historic “seven-quad” routine.
- Why watch: He isn’t just trying to win; he’s trying to do things with his body that were previously thought to be physically impossible. He is the heavy favorite for gold.
4. Sofia Goggia (Italy) – Alpine Skiing
The Story: The local hero and Italy’s “Queen of Speed.” Goggia is a downhill specialist who has overcome a career’s worth of bone-breaking injuries to compete on her home snow in Cortina.
- Why watch: The Italian crowd. When Goggia stands at the top of the mountain in Cortina, the atmosphere will be electric. She is the face of these Games for the host nation.
If you can’t make it to Italy, the next best thing is Hibernia Bar in Hell’s Kitchen. With screens at every angle and a late-night kitchen, it is the perfect local headquarters to grab a Guinness and watch the Rangers and Penguins stars chase Olympic gold.