2026 Winter Olympic Villages

If you enjoyed watching Heated Rivalry, you’ll soon be able to watch even more hockey – this time, on the Olympic stage. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will kick off on February 6 in Milan-Cortina. The Winter Paralympic Games will follow a month later on March 6.

Athletes competing in this year’s Games will be able to stay in six Olympic Villages across northern Italy. Each location is designed to utilize existing structures to the extent possible, and many are planned to serve local communities long after the Games have ended.  

For example, the Village in Cortina features almost 400 prefabricated wooden units. After the Games, the Village will be removed so the area can be restored to an open, natural space. The units themselves will be utilized in camping sites around Italy.

Similarly, athletes housed in the Livigno Village will stay in three traditional Alpine lodges. After the Games, the lodges will return to Livigno’s hospitality sector.

The Olympic Village in Milan will be converted into a permanent student neighborhood after the Games. Sited on an abandoned railway yard, the area has been transformed into six residential blocks accommodating about 1,500 residents. In addition to being built with low-carbon construction materials, Village also has rooftop solar panels and rainwater reuse systems.

The Olympic Games are not only an opportunity for countries to show off their athletic prowess – they also offer a chance for communities to plan for the future. This year’s Games are no exception.