It is less than a year and a half until the start of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This event represents a landmark moment for Italy, not only for its sporting and cultural value, but also for the immense logistical challenge it entails. For the first time in history, the Games will be ‘spread out’, distributed over a territory of more than 22,000 km² that includes two regions (Lombardy and Veneto), two autonomous provinces (Trento and Bolzano), nine prefectures and hundreds of municipalities.
More than 80 Locations to Manage
The numbers speak for themselves: more than 80 venues, including 18 competition venues, 6 Olympic villages, 30 venues for non-competitive events, airports and stations will have to be set up and subsequently dismantled. Among them are the 3 iconic ceremonial locations:
- The San Siro Stadium in Milan for the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
- TheVerona Arena, which will host the Olympic Closing Ceremony and the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
- The Ice Stadium of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which will host the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.
The Management of Flows of Goods and People
The heart of Olympic logistics is the management of all flows of people and goods that will enter the event perimeter. This includes, among others: the organisation of transport for athletes, their equipment and technical staff;last-mile management to ensure the timely delivery of sports equipment directly to the venues, set-ups and supplies; and the management of the logistics of the event.
Athlete and Stakeholder Logistics
Over 3,500 athletes from more than 90 nations will participate in the Games, bringing with them voluminous and delicate equipment: bobsleds, sleds, skeletons, and even hundreds of skis for each athlete. Ensuring that everything arrives on time and in perfect condition is crucial, especially in order to meet the strict training and competition schedules.
But athletes are not the only protagonists:
- 10,000 media workers will require support for luggage and equipment.
- 18,000 volunteers will need uniforms.
- More than 1.6 million spectators will have to be welcomed and supported during the events.
Not Only Sport: Other Logistics Projects
Logistics extends to unsuspected areas, such as:
- The management of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch route, which will cross the whole country symbolically carrying the values of the Games.
- The coordination of the anti-doping system, including the procurement of the necessary materials and the safe and traceable transport of test tubes to the laboratories.
More than 1,200 Logistics Professionals Engaged
At Games Time, the Games' logistics team will involve more than 1,200 professionals, present in all territories.
The Role of External Suppliers
The logistics of Milan Cortina 2026 will also be made possible thanks to the involvement of numerous external suppliers, strategic partners who are fundamental in tackling the enormous operational complexities. From transport and warehouse services to the management of temporary set-ups, every detail will be taken care of to guarantee the success of the event.
