Exciting Events to Watch at Winter Olympics 2026

When you think of the Winter Olympics, you probably picture downhill racers and figure skaters. But for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, a brand-new sport is crashing the party, and it’s a true beast. Welcome to ski mountaineering—or “Skimo”—the ultimate triathlon for the mountains, making its exciting debut on the Milano Cortina 2026 sports list.

You might be wondering, “How do you ski up a mountain?” The secret is a clever piece of gear called “skins.” These are textured fabric strips that temporarily stick to the bottom of the skis, gripping the snow on the way up almost like a one-way zipper. Once at the peak, racers rip them off in seconds, lock their boots in, and transition to a classic, high-speed downhill race to the finish line.

This new Olympic sport isn’t just one race; it’s an entire discipline. Spectators will see the Sprint, an all-out, explosive contest that’s over in about three minutes flat. Then there’s the Individual event, the classic long-distance endurance test that has athletes completing several grueling ascents and descents across the mountain.

Finally, the Mixed Relay adds a thrilling team dynamic, as men and women alternate in a fast-paced, back-and-forth race for glory. With its raw power, technical skill, and breathtaking speed, ski mountaineering is one of the most anticipated new Olympic sports and is sure to become a fan favorite.

Why is Everyone Yelling in Curling? A Simple Guide to “Chess on Ice”

When you tune into curling during the Winter Olympics 2026, you’ll likely notice two things: players sliding giant granite stones and a lot of intense yelling. While it might look chaotic, the goal is surprisingly simple and strategic. Often called “chess on ice,” the objective isn’t to hit a target like in bowling, but to get more of your team’s stones closer to the center of the rings—the “house”—than your opponent. It’s a game of precision, not just power, where the gentlest slide can be a game-winner.

That frantic sweeping you see isn’t just for show; it’s how players steer the stone after it’s been released. By furiously brushing the ice in front of the moving stone, the sweepers generate heat. This creates a thin layer of water that reduces friction, allowing the stone to travel farther and curl (or bend) less. This gives teams incredible control to guide their shots around obstacles or nudge them just a little bit closer to the center, turning a near-miss into a perfectly placed point.

All of this strategy often comes down to one major advantage: having the “hammer.” This term simply refers to throwing the very last stone in a round, known as an “end.” Possessing the hammer is a massive tactical benefit, as that player gets the final say. They can use it to knock out an opponent’s winning stone or slide gently into an open space to score the winning point. It’s the ultimate trump card, and teams fight hard to control it throughout the match.

Head-First vs. Feet-First: How to Tell the Sliding Sports Apart

When you tune into the Milano Cortina 2026 games, you’ll inevitably land on an event that looks like a blur of motion down a winding ice track. Is it Luge? Skeleton? Bobsleigh? It’s easy to confuse these high-speed sports, but a quick glance at the athlete’s position is all you need to become an expert spotter.

The easiest way to tell the sliding sports apart is by looking at how the athletes travel. Think of it as a simple checklist for your brain:

• Luge: Athletes lie on their backs and zoom down the track feet-first, steering with subtle leg and shoulder movements.
• Skeleton: A single athlete takes a running start and dives onto a tiny sled, flying down the ice head-first.
• Bobsleigh: Teams of two or four sit upright inside a larger, enclosed sleigh, with a driver steering them down the course.

No matter which sled is on screen, you’re witnessing incredible bravery. Athletes in all three disciplines reach mind-boggling speeds, often exceeding 85 mph (135 km/h)—faster than most cars on the highway! While bobsleigh relies on the explosive teamwork of a crew, luge and skeleton are the ultimate individual tests of nerve, where one tiny mistake can be the difference between a medal and disaster.

Who Are the Adorable Stoats on My Screen? Meet the Milano Cortina Mascots

You’ll undoubtedly see two energetic, furry characters popping up everywhere during the Games. So, who are they? Meet Tina and Milo, the official mascots for Milano Cortina 2026. These two are stoats—quick, agile mountain animals perfect for the Alpine setting. Tina, with her light coat, is the Olympic mascot, while her brother Milo, with his dark coat, represents the Paralympic Games.

Their names are a clever nod to the host cities: Tina is short for Cortina, and Milo is a tribute to Milan (Milano). The two share a heartwarming backstory that embodies the spirit of the Games. Milo was born without one of his hind legs and learned to get around using his tail. This creative adaptation perfectly represents the ingenuity and willpower seen throughout the 2026 Winter Paralympics events.

What makes these stoats even more special is their origin. The design for Tina and Milo wasn’t created by a marketing agency but was chosen from over 1,600 submissions by Italian primary and secondary school students. This homegrown approach ensures the mascots carry a genuine spirit of youthful creativity and national pride straight from the heart of Italy.

How Can I Actually Watch or Attend the 2026 Games?

Inspired to witness the drama firsthand, or just want to know how to tune in from your couch? Experiencing the Olympics boils down to two paths: being there in person or watching from home. While the cost of attending the Milan Cortina Olympics can vary dramatically, securing your spot—whether on a slope-side seat or a sofa—is easier when you know where to look.

For anyone wondering how to buy tickets for the Milan Cortina Games, the official website is your starting point. Tickets are typically sold in phases, often beginning with a lottery or ballot system well over a year before the event. Getting on the official mailing list is the best way to get alerts so you don’t miss out. This phased release helps manage the enormous demand for events from figure skating finals to the opening ceremony.

If you miss the initial sale or your plans change, don’t worry. The organizers will also establish an official fan-to-fan marketplace. This is the only authorized ticket reseller platform, ensuring you get legitimate tickets at a fair price and avoid the risks of unofficial third-party sites. It’s a safe and secure way to grab a last-minute seat at your dream event.

For the vast majority of us watching from home, figuring out how to watch the 2026 Opening Ceremony and other events is as simple as checking your local listings. Each country has designated national broadcast rights, meaning specific channels have the exclusive right to air the Games. In the United States, that’s typically NBCUniversal; in Canada, it’s CBC/Radio-Canada; and in the UK, it’s the BBC and Eurosport. With millions watching worldwide, the organizers are also focused on a different kind of global impact.

Why Are These Games a Big Deal for Sustainability?

Beyond the thrill of competition, the Milan Cortina Games are setting a new standard for how the Olympics are run. In the past, host cities often built massive, expensive stadiums that were barely used after the closing ceremony. To fix this, the International Olympic Committee created a new blueprint, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which basically says: use what you already have. Milan Cortina is taking this to heart, designing an event that fits the region, not forcing the region to fit a temporary event.

So what does this look like on the ground? An incredible 93% of the venues for 2026 will be existing or temporary. This approach creates a powerful link to the history of the Olympics in Italy, as facilities in Cortina d’Ampezzo from the 1956 Winter Games are being modernized for reuse. On top of that, one of the key sustainability goals for the 2026 games is to power every competition site with 100% renewable energy, dramatically reducing the event’s carbon footprint.

This focus on reuse isn’t just about being green; it’s about being smart. By drastically cutting the need for new construction, the Games become more affordable and leave a more practical legacy. The official milano cortina 2026 venues guide is less about brand-new monuments and more about celebrating and upgrading existing Italian landmarks. This sustainable model makes hosting the Olympics a realistic goal for more cities around the world, ensuring the Games have a future that is as exciting as it is responsible.

Now You’re Ready for the 2026 Winter Games!

Now, when you watch the Games, you’ll see more than a blur of snow and ice. You can spot the headfirst daring of skeleton, understand the quiet strategy of curling, and appreciate the grueling endurance of ski mountaineering’s debut. You’ve unlocked the rules, rivalries, and stories behind the spectacle.

Put that new knowledge into practice. Mark your calendar for February 6-22, 2026, and try a simple challenge: pick one sport that sparked your curiosity and commit to watching its final event. When the Olympic flame is lit in Milan-Cortina, the Games will feel different—not just a series of contests, but a personal list of can’t-miss moments. Following one story from start to finish is the best way to transform the global spectacle into your own unforgettable sporting journey.