You’ve probably seen the highlight reels from Paris, but honestly, the Olympic cycle never really stops. It just resets. People always get confused about the two-year gap between the Summer and Winter editions, and with the new way the International Olympic Committee (IOC) picks cities now, the calendar looks a bit different than it used to.
If you’re wondering when the next Olympics are, mark your calendar for February 6, 2026.
That is when the world heads to Italy. Specifically, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. It is the first time in history the Games will be officially co-hosted by two major cities. We’re talking about a massive geographic footprint that stretches from the fashion-forward streets of Milan all the way up to the Dolomites.
Milano Cortina 2026: The Winter Return
Italy isn't new to this. Cortina actually hosted back in 1956, and Turin had its turn in 2006. But the 2026 Games are trying something unique. Instead of building a massive, centralized "Olympic Park" that usually ends up rotting as a "white elephant" project, they are using existing venues across Northern Italy.
The Opening Ceremony is slated for the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan. Yes, the same place AC Milan and Inter Milan play. Rumors are already swirling about the talent, and names like Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli have been linked to the "Armonia" (Harmony) themed kickoff.
The schedule runs from February 6 to February 22.
If you are a fan of traditional alpine events, you’ll be looking at Cortina d’Ampezzo and Bormio. For ice hockey and figure skating, you’re staying in Milan. One of the coolest details? The Closing Ceremony won't be in a stadium at all. It’s happening in the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater built in 30 AD. Watching modern athletes stand where gladiators once fought is a vibe you just can't manufacture.
The Big Summer Return: LA28
After the snow melts in Italy, all eyes shift back to the United States. When the next Olympics return to the summer stage, it’ll be Los Angeles in 2028. Specifically, July 14 to July 30, 2028.
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LA28 is already shaking things up. They’ve decided to swap the traditional order of events. Usually, swimming happens in the first week and track and field (athletics) in the second. For 2028, they are flipping it. Athletics will start Day 1 at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Swimming will take over the second week, finishing up at the SoFi Stadium (which will be converted into the largest Olympic swimming venue ever).
We’re also seeing some "new" sports that feel very American:
- Flag Football (making its Olympic debut).
- Cricket (returning for the first time since 1900).
- Lacrosse.
- Squash.
- Baseball/Softball.
Venice Beach is even getting in on the action, hosting the triathlon and 3x3 basketball. It’s going to be loud, sun-drenched, and very Hollywood.
Beyond 2028: The French Alps and Brisbane
The IOC has been busy. They’ve already locked in the hosts for the 2030 and 2032 cycles. This is part of their "New Norm" strategy—basically trying to avoid the drama of cities pulling out of bids at the last minute because of costs.
French Alps 2030 (Winter): Scheduled for February 1 to February 17, 2030. This bid was a bit of a whirlwind, getting approved just before the Paris 2024 Games. It’ll be spread across clusters like Nice (for ice sports) and Savoie (for skiing). It’s essentially a "Best of France" winter tour.
Brisbane 2032 (Summer): Australia gets its third Games starting July 23, 2032. While it’s years away, the city is already deep in construction. Just recently, in early 2026, they announced the design team for a new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park. There’s been some local friction regarding Indigenous heritage sites at the construction zones, which the government is currently mediating. It shows that even a decade out, the Olympic machine is always moving.
What You Should Actually Do Now
If you are actually planning to attend any of these, the "wait and see" approach usually fails.
For Milano Cortina 2026, tickets are typically handled through a lottery system that opens about 12-18 months before the Games. We are already in that window. You should be registering on the official Milano Cortina website now to get alerts for the ticket portal.
For LA28, tickets won't likely go on sale until 2026 or 2027, but the hospitality packages often launch earlier. If you’re a traveler, start looking at the geography of these Games. Since the 2026 and 2030 events are "spread out," you’ll need to decide which "cluster" you want to stay in. You can’t easily see figure skating in Milan and then catch downhill skiing in Cortina on the same afternoon—they are five hours apart by car.
Stay updated by following the IOC’s official "Olympic ID" portal. It’s the only way to get first-party info without the markup from resellers.
Next Steps for the 2026 Games:
- Register for the official ticketing fan pool on the Milano Cortina 2026 website.
- Map out the venues: decide if you want the city experience (Milan) or the mountain experience (Cortina/Bormio).
- Check your passport expiration; it needs to be valid for at least six months past your travel date in 2026.