Airbnb launches new athletehosted experiences ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

28 May 2025 – As excitement builds ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb has unveiled a new range of Olympian and Paralympian Experiences, offering fans the chance to engage directly with sporting legends through curated activities across the Italian Alps.

Announced on 28 May in Milan, the 26 experiences are being hosted by athletes from around the world, including Arianna Fontana, Italy’s most decorated Winter Olympian, and offer guests the chance to enjoy unique opportunities such as cycling in the Alps and training alongside Olympic medallists.

Airbnb is all about creating unique experiences that connect people, and Olympian and Paralympian Experiences allow fans to feel closer to their heroes than ever before. These experiences will provide an intimate window into the Games, all made possible by our 26 athlete hosts.

Brian Chesky – Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO

This exclusive series of experiences will run between June 2025 and March 2026, allowing guests to participate before, during and after the Games.

Connecting with champions in the heart of the Alps

Among the highlights is a one-of-a-kind cycling experience with Arianna Fontana in her home region of Valtellina. Taking place on 6 September, the session will guide a small group of guests through the picturesque trails of Polaggia, followed by a locally sourced lunch. Along the way, Fontana will share insights into her training, mindset and ambitions as she prepares to compete in both short-track and long-track speed skating at her home Games next year.

Other experiences available for booking include an Alpine training hike with snowboard cross Olympic medallist Omar Visintin, an introductory Para ice hockey session with Italian defender Andrea Macrì and a training run with two-time Olympic medallist cross-country skier Federico Pellegrino. Fans will also have the opportunity to watch live events during the Games alongside Olympic athletes.

All experiences are available to book via airbnb.com/mico2026, with more to be announced later this year.

Supporting sustainability and heritage through tourism

In addition to these new experiences, Airbnb is deepening its commitment to responsible tourism across the host regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. As part of its broader sustainability initiatives, the platform is supporting the preservation of cultural and natural landmarks through partnerships with local organisations and international heritage initiatives.

This includes the “Storyteller of Beauty” project, a World Heritage Volunteers initiative focused on empowering young people to protect and promote UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Veneto region, such as the iconic Dolomite Alps – a key venue for the Games.

Additional efforts include training programmes for local hosts, promotion of lesser-known destinations and community-led initiatives to ensure that the benefits of tourism are more evenly distributed across rural and mountain areas.