Italy Welcomes Olympic Flame as Milano-Cortina 2026 Countdown Begins
In a symbolic handover ceremony at Athens’ historic Panathenaic Stadium, Italy received the Olympic flame for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games — kicking off a 63-day relay that will traverse the length of the country. The flame’s arrival marks the start of an ambitious, nationwide journey designed to ignite excitement from Rome to the Alps, uniting 20 regions, over 300 towns and countless communities under the spirit of the Games.
The flame — lit in ancient Olympia and delivered to Italy on December 4 — will embark on a 12,000-kilometre relay beginning December 6, carried by 10,001 torchbearers across 60 cities and 300 towns. Iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Grand Canal in Venice will witness the flame, as will southern hubs like Naples and Palermo. The relay concludes in Cortina d’Ampezzo on January 26, with the Olympic cauldron set to be lit at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on February 6, when the Winter Games officially open.
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Symbolic Handover in Athens Marks Beginning of the Journey
Under cloudy skies and amid weather-related restrictions, the flame was handed over to organisers inside the marble-clad Panathenaic Stadium — the birthplace of the modern Olympics. The scaled-down but solemn ceremony saw top officials pass the torch, symbolising the return of the Olympic Winter Games flame to Italy after two decades.
Italian Olympic heritage was emphasised as organisers declared pride in hosting the Games once again. The handover is both a nod to Olympic history and a signal that Italy is ready to embark on a grand nationwide celebration of sport.
A Route Designed to Embrace the Entire Nation
When the Italian leg of the torch relay begins on December 6 from Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi, the flame will embark on one of the most extensive Olympic relays in history — 12,000 km through every Italian region, 110 provinces, 60 major cities and hundreds of small towns.
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Along the way, the flame will touch iconic sites such as the Colosseum in Rome and Venice’s Grand Canal, but also reach less expected corners of Italy — from the southern city of Palermo to Naples. This broad and inclusive route aims to engage citizens across the country, renewing enthusiasm for the Winter Games even in regions without a strong winter sports tradition.
What the Flame Represents for Milano-Cortina 2026
Beyond its symbolic value, the torch relay offers a way to weave the Olympic spirit into the fabric of everyday Italy. It's a gesture of unity, reminding Italians of their shared heritage and building excitement for the winter sports festival ahead. The journey of the flame reflects Italy’s diverse geography, culture, and community — from alpine villages to coastal towns, from historic cities to remote countryside.
At the same time, the relay underscores the ambition behind Milano-Cortina 2026: to host a Winter Games that are not just about competition, but about national pride, inclusivity and collective celebration. The flame’s passage through Italy sets the tone for what promises to be a memorable Olympic Winter Games.
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Looking Ahead — From Rome to Milan via the Heart of Italy
With the relay now underway, all eyes turn to the towns and cities that will host the torch in the coming weeks. From the bustle of Rome to the canals of Venice, from Sicily’s sun-drenched coasts to the snow-capped peaks of Cortina — the flame will traverse a country rich in history and diversity.
When the torch finally arrives in Milan and the opening ceremony lights the Olympic cauldron on February 6, 2026, it will mark the culmination of a journey that began in ancient Olympia and united an entire nation in anticipation, pride and hope
