United States Milano Cortina 2026: Team USA Guide & Bans

If you’re planning to follow Team USA to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the first surprise might hit before you pack a single base layer: there isn’t one Olympic village but two, separated by roughly 400 kilometers of Alpine highway. Milano Cortina 2026 spreads events across Lombardy and the Dolomites, meaning American fans and athletes face a logistical puzzle that previous Winter Games haven’t demanded, and this guide unpacks everything from trial dates to banned countries so you can plan around the geography as well as the competition.

Host country: Italy ·
Host cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo ·
Games dates: 6–22 February 2026 ·
Number of sports: 8 (16 disciplines) ·
US team: 25th Winter Olympics appearance

Six key facts, one pattern: the 2026 Winter Olympics are Italy’s show, but the US team will navigate a uniquely spread-out Games that demands early planning.

Where will the Olympics be held in 2026 in the USA?

They won’t be held in the United States. The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially named Milano Cortina 2026 and hosted across two Italian regions—Lombardy and Veneto—with events split between the fashion capital of Milan and the Dolomite mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo (Olympics.com, official Games portal). No US city submitted a bid for the 2026 Winter Games.

Where will Milano Cortina 2026 events be held?

• Milan: Figure skating and short track speed skating at Mediolanum Forum (capacity 12,500) (ISU, international skating federation)
• Cortina d’Ampezzo: Alpine skiing on the Stelvio Slope, bobsleigh and luge at the Olympic Ice Stadium (same venue as 1956) (FIS-Ski, alpine skiing governing body; FIL Luge, international luge federation)
• Anterselva: Biathlon, 130 km north of Bolzano, with 4 km loop distances (IBU Biathlon, international biathlon union)
• Tesino Plateau: Nordic combined, jumps up to 138 m, 50 km from Cortina
• Tre Cime Arena: Snowboard cross, 1.2 km track length (World Snowboard Tour, professional snowboard circuit)

The United States will host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (Olympics.com). That means American fans get two Italian experiences before a home Games.

The implication: splitting your trip is unavoidable unless you commit to one hub.

What is Team USA Milano Cortina?

Team USA is the United States Olympic & Paralympic team—the national delegation selected through trials and qualifying events to represent the country at Milano Cortina 2026. The U.S. has competed in every Winter Olympics since the first in 1924, and 2026 marks the country’s 25th Winter Games appearance (USOPC, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee).

Do U.S. Olympians get paid a salary?

No. U.S. Olympians are not paid a salary by the Olympic committee. Instead, they receive:

• Stipends through the USOPC’s support programs for living and training costs
• Medal bonuses: $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, $15,000 for bronze (2024 rates; 2026 rates TBD)
• Health insurance and access to training facilities via the USOPC (TeamUSA.com, USOPC team site)

The trade-off: most athletes hold second jobs or rely on sponsorships. Mikaela Shiffrin, for example, has endorsement income that far exceeds Olympic bonuses, but the majority of Team USA members earn well below a median U.S. salary from sport alone.

The consequence: fans should respect the financial reality of most Olympians—they aren’t full-time pros paid by the committee.

What countries are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Russia and Belarus are banned from sending official national teams to Milano Cortina 2026 due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee imposed sanctions after Russia’s invasion in 2022 and extended them through the 2026 cycle (Olympic.org, IOC official decision).

Why are certain countries banned?

• Russia: IOC sanctions over the Ukraine war. Individual athletes may apply to compete as neutrals under strict conditions—no flag, no anthem, no team designation (Olympic.org, IOC Executive Board)
• Belarus: Same sanctions as Russia, due to its role in supporting the invasion. Neutral athlete pathway available
• Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea: No athletes are expected due to ongoing IOC suspensions unrelated to the Ukraine war

The implication: Team USA won’t face Russian or Belarusian teams in the medal standings, but individual neutral athletes could still be competitive in figure skating, cross-country skiing, and biathlon.

The pattern: the neutral athlete question will be a major storyline right up to the opening ceremony.

When are the Winter Olympic Trials 2026?

Olympic Trials for most winter sports take place in late 2025 and early 2026, with individual sport federations setting their own qualifying events. The USOPC coordinates the selection process through each sport’s national governing body (USOPC, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee).

What are the dates of the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The main Games run from 6 to 22 February 2026. Here’s the timeline:

• Late 2025 – Early 2026: US Winter Olympic Trials for various sports (check teamusa.com for sport-specific dates)
• 6 February 2026: Opening ceremony at San Siro, Milan (Olympic.org, IOC official site)
• 6–22 February 2026: Competition period
• 22 February 2026: Closing ceremony at Verona Arena (Olympics.com)

Key US schedule highlights: Women’s Super-G is expected on 17 February, Men’s Slalom on 18 February (USA Today Sports, major US sports media).

The pattern: trial dates vary wildly by sport. Figure skating trials often occur in January, while alpine trials can wrap in December. The USOPC recommends athletes and families book refundable travel until official confirmations drop.

How far from Milan is Milano Cortina?

The distance between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo is roughly 400 km (250 miles) (Wikipedia, cited to official organizing committee docs). Driving takes about 4–5 hours on the A4 and A27 highways, but winter weather can stretch that. Venues across the region span 14 locations within a 180 km corridor between the two main hubs.

How can I travel between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo?

• Train: Milan to Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore station (3.5 hours), then bus to Cortina (1 hour). Total: ~5 hours
• Bus: Direct services from Milan’s bus terminal to Cortina, 5–6 hours depending on snow
• Car: 4–5 hours via A4 to Brescia, then SS42 through the Dolomites. Winter tires required by law from 15 November
• Air: Milan has three airports (Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo). Cortina lacks a commercial airport; Venice Marco Polo (2.5 hours by car) is the closest major hub

The catch: if you try to day-trip between venues, weather and traffic could wreck your schedule.

The consequence for US fans: the 2026 Winter Olympics offer an unforgettable Italian setting, but the logistics between Milan and Cortina are not trivial. For anyone booking flights and accommodations now, the choice is clear: commit to one hub, or budget for an extra travel day between venues. Team USA will compete across both, and the smartest plan is to decide early whether you’re watching ice sports in Milan or mountain sports in the Dolomites—because trying to do both in one day is a race you won’t win.

Frequently asked questions

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