In a grand event at Verona’s Gran Guardia, Milano Cortina 2026 revealed the detailed itineraries for the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, an emblematic journey celebrating sportsmanship and unity across Italy.
The Olympic torch relay
The Olympic torch will embark on a 63-day journey covering 12,000 kilometers and making stops in 60 cities, passing through all 110 provinces of Italy. The adventure begins on November 26, 2025, with the traditional lighting of the flame in Olympia, Greece. It will then travel to Rome, arriving on December 4, and officially start its Italian journey on December 6.
Key highlights include a Christmas stop in Naples, New Year’s celebrations in Bari, and a historic return to Cortina d’Ampezzo on January 26, 2026, marking 70 years since the 1956 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. The relay will conclude at San Siro Stadium in Milan during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6, 2026, featuring 10,001 torchbearers united in this historic event.
The Paralympic torch relay
The Paralympic flame will cover 2,000 kilometers over 11 days, from February 24 to March 6, 2026, culminating at Verona’s Arena for the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony. The journey will involve 501 torchbearers, each symbolizing resilience and inclusivity.
The flame will be lit at Stoke Mandeville, England, the birthplace of Paralympic sports, and will arrive in Italy to commence its tour, amplifying messages of respect and inclusivity. From February 24 to March 2, the route will include five Flame Festivals in Milan, Turin, Bolzano, Trento, and Trieste. The flames will unite on March 3 in Cortina d’Ampezzo before traveling through Venice and Padua, arriving in Verona on March 6 for the grand Opening Ceremony.
Photo credits: Olympics.com
