Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics dazzle in some venues but fall flat in others
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics brought a mix of excitement and disappointment across its venues. While some locations buzzed with energy, others struggled to capture the usual Olympic spirit. Fans experienced everything from electric crowds to near-empty stands, depending on where they went.
Cortina d'Ampezzo stood out as the heart of the Games, drawing international fans who gathered joyfully around the Olympic flame. The atmosphere here was lively, with diverse crowds celebrating the event. Meanwhile, Milan's ice hockey and figure skating arenas attracted 14,000 cheering spectators, despite the unfinished stadium causing delays for fans leaving the venue.
Livigno became the freestyle capital, hosting high-level competitions and a bustling finish area. Antholz, too, saw nearly 20,000 passionate biathlon fans, creating an electric environment that felt more like a crazy games than an Olympic event. Yet, the valley lacked other competitions, reinforcing this impression.
Elsewhere, the mood was far quieter. Bormio remained almost empty before races, with little sign of Olympic excitement. Predazzo and Val di Fiemme, despite their grandstands and media zones, had only 5,000 attendees and no festive atmosphere. The song Sarà perché ti amo played repeatedly across venues, but it couldn't mask the issues—high ticket prices (starting at €100), scarce accommodations, and poor organisation, including muddy sites and cashless payment problems.
Many fans criticised the decentralised setup, comparing it unfavourably to past Games. The scattered venues and long travel distances weakened the overall Olympic experience, leaving some feeling disconnected from the event.
The Games delivered moments of brilliance in places like Cortina and Antholz, where crowds brought energy and passion. However, the inconsistent atmosphere, organisational struggles, and high costs left many attendees underwhelmed. The contrast between vibrant hubs and quiet, poorly attended sites highlighted the challenges of hosting a decentralised Olympics.
