VENETO IN ACTION

The Olympic Torch Relay Route for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is an event of great importance, a symbol of unity and a celebration of Italian excellence. The route, referred to as "Il Grande Viaggio" (The Great Journey), was presented on 26 November 2024, exactly one year before the lighting of the flame in Olympia, Greece.

Statistics of the Route:

Duration: 63 days

Total distance: 12,000 kilometres

Number of Torch-bearers: 10,001

Regions involved: 20

Provinces involved: 110

Relay Cities: 60

The journey will begin with the lighting of the flame in Olympia on 26 November 2025. After the handover ceremony in Athens on 4 December 2025, the Olympic flame will arrive in Rome, from where the Italian relay will start on 6 December 2025. The route will cross all Italian regions, taking in numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and highlighting the cultural and historical wealth of the country.

The relay route cities of Veneto

The Olympic Flame of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games will cross several cities of Veneto on its way. Here are the main stages:

Verona: The flame will arrive in Verona on 18 January 2026.

Vicenza: On 20 January 2026, the flame will pass through Vicenza.

Padua: On 21 January 2026, the flame will reach Padua.

Venice: On 22 January 2026, the flame will be in Venice.

Belluno: On 25 January 2026, the flame will pass through Belluno.

Cortina d'Ampezzo: On 26 January 2026, the flame will reach Cortina d'Ampezzo, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games.

These stages highlight the importance of Veneto in the path of the Olympic Flame, celebrating the region's rich history and culture in preparation for the 2026 Winter Games.

The route will culminate in Milan on 6 February 2026, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.

In parallel, the Paralympic Torch Relay will begin on 24 February 2026 at the Stoke Mandeville hospital in the United Kingdom, the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic Movement. The route will cover 2,000 kilometres in 12 days, involving 501 torchbearers, and will end on 6 March 2026 at the Arena di Verona, in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The itinerary has been designed to celebrate the entire Italian territory, promoting Olympic and Paralympic values and involving local communities in a worldwide event.
The route map and dates of the Olympic Torch Relay are available at this link.
 

Vista panoramica di Verona (credits Davide Busetto)