Milano Cortina 2026 unveils Greatest Journey as Olympic Torch Relay route announced

26 November 2024 – The Olympic flame is set to embark on its “Greatest Journey”, across all 110 provinces of Italy, as the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee unveiled the official route of the Olympic Torch Relay ahead of the Olympic Winter Games.

Spanning 63 days and covering 12,000 kilometres, the relay will include 60 stops across the host nation, engaging Italians and sparking excitement in the build-up to the Opening Ceremony on 6 February 2026.

The journey will commence on 26 November 2025 in Olympia, Greece, with the traditional lighting of the Olympic flame. The flame will then make its way to Italy, arriving in Rome on 4 December 2025 before setting out across the host nation, where it will be carried by around 10,000 torchbearers.

Highlights of this “Greatest Journey”, the official Olympic Torch Relay campaign revealed by the Organising Committee, include the flame bringing festive cheer to Naples on Christmas Day, and welcoming in the New Year in Bari.

On 26 January 2026, the flame will arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, commemorating the 70^th anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the 1956 Olympic Winter Games in the town.

The relay will culminate in Milan, where the flame will enter the iconic San Siro Stadium during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony on 6 February 2026.

As well as building anticipation for the Games, the Olympic Torch Relay is designed to pay tribute to Italy’s extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. The flame will visit many of the nation’s 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, underscoring the rich traditions and landmarks that define Italy, while inspiring unity and pride across the country.

The Olympic Torch Relay is the moment when the Games enter people’s homes, spreading the magic of winter sports across Italy This ‘Greatest Journey’ is the moment when Milano Cortina 2026 will embrace our country, uniting Italy in a celebration of national pride. A journey that will involve 10,001 torchbearers, each with their own story to tell: stories of passion, sacrifice, courage and inclusivity. The Olympic flame is a beacon that inspires us all to look to the future with hope and renewed ambition.

Andrea Varnier – CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026

Paralympic Torch Relay

In addition to revealing the route for the Olympic Torch Relay, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee also unveiled the journey that the Paralympic flame will take ahead of the Paralympic Winter Games.

It will begin at the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, on 23 February 2026. The 12-day Paralympic Torch Relay will cover 2,000 kilometres and feature 500 torchbearers before reaching the Opening Ceremony at the Arena di Verona on 6 March.

Speaking about the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, Giovanni Malagò, the President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, said: “Every step of these great journeys through our cities will become a moment of celebration and reflection, reminding us of the power of sport to build bridges and break down barriers. When the flames travel through our streets, they will touch millions with a unique and unforgettable warmth: the kind only sport can convey. They represent a fire that inspires and motivates, igniting in people’s hearts the sense of being part of something bigger. The Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays are a unique opportunity for Italy to shine, once again, on the world stage.”

Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola has been a proud supporter of the Olympic Torch Relay for more than three decades. As a presenting partner for the Olympic Torch Relay for Milano Cortina, Coca-Cola will continue to help promote the Olympic values.

For its part, Worldwide Olympic Partner Allianz is the Presenting Partner for the Paralympic Torch Relay.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026, and the Paralympic Winter Games from 6 to 15 March.

Milano Cortina 2026 Official Ticketing Platform

Fans can now register for the ticket draw for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.