2026 Winter Olympics: Vietnam’s Historic Invitation and Key Facts

For Vietnamese sports fans, the Winter Olympics have always been a spectacular, distant spectacle. The 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo change that equation.

Dates: February 6–22, 2026 · Host Cities: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy · Number of Sports: 16 · Number of Events: 195 · Estimated Athletes: 3,500+ · Participating Nations: 92–93

A compact reference for the core specifics of Milano Cortina 2026:

Where and when will the 2026 Winter Olympics be held?

What are the host cities?

The twin-host city model of Milano Cortina 2026 is a direct response to the challenge of finding a single location capable of hosting all winter sports at a modern scale. Milan, Italy’s second-largest city, brings urban infrastructure, iconic venues like the San Siro stadium for the Opening Ceremony, and a massive population base. Cortina d’Ampezzo, a historic alpine resort in the Dolomites that hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, brings the mountain stages for skiing, sliding sports, and snowboarding. Competition actually begins on February 4 with early rounds in curling and ice hockey, two days before the Opening Ceremony scheduled for February 6 at San Siro, as mirrored by Team Canada’s official schedule page (Team Canada / Olympic.ca). Readers following the broader 2026 sports calendar can also check the T20 World Cup Brackets 2026 for comparison on how major tournaments structure their competition timelines.

The pattern: This geographic split creates a unique experience for attendees, but it also forces spectators, media, and athletes to travel hundreds of kilometres between venues, a trade-off that the Organising Committee has addressed with dedicated transport links.

How many sports are in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

What events are included?

• 16 sports
• 195 medal events
• 116 gold medals up for grabs

The 2026 Winter Olympics programme features 16 sports and a total of 195 events, as reported by USA Today, which notes that 116 gold medals will be awarded. The headline addition for 2026 is ski mountaineering, a sport that combines alpine skiing with endurance climbing. This is the first new winter sport added to the Olympic programme since 1992. The inclusion of ski mountaineering is a direct effort by the IOC to attract a younger, adventure-oriented audience. At 195 events, this is the largest Winter Olympic programme in history, pushing the boundaries of what the winter sports calendar can accommodate.

The programme’s expansion reflects a strategic effort to attract new audiences while preserving core winter sports.

What is the mascot of the 2026 Winter Olympics?

What do the mascots represent?

Unveiled: 2023 · Names: Tina & Milo · Inspiration: Italian Alpine wildlife and flora

The official mascots of Milano Cortina 2026, Tina the snowdrop and Milo the ermine, were unveiled through a national competition in 2023 and are detailed on the official Olympic platform (Olympics.com). Tina represents the delicate alpine flower that blooms even in winter, symbolising resilience and the beauty of the natural landscape. Milo, a playful ermine native to the Italian Alps, embodies speed and curiosity. Together, they were designed to appeal to younger audiences while grounding the Games in the local ecology of the host region.

The mascots successfully anchor the Games in the local environment, reinforcing the connection between sport and nature.

Which countries and how many teams compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Does Vietnam participate?

• 92–93 nations expected
• Over 3,500 athletes
• Vietnam: invited, participation unconfirmed

The 2026 Winter Olympics are expected to feature between 92 and 93 National Olympic Committees, with over 3,500 athletes competing. For Vietnamese audiences, the most significant question is whether the country will make its Winter Olympics debut. According to a report by VOV, Vietnam’s state-run media outlet, the country has received an official invitation to participate in the Games (VOV (Vietnamese state media)). However, as of early 2025, no Vietnamese athletes have secured qualification in any winter sport. The invitation is a pathway, but the actual start line is still a distant goal. The final athlete count and nation list will not be confirmed until after the qualification windows close in early 2026.

Vietnam’s potential participation hinges on developing winter sports infrastructure, a long-term commitment for a tropical nation.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics and key ceremony details

When is the closing ceremony?

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026 at the San Siro stadium in Milan, a venue typically associated with AC Milan and Inter Milan football matches. The Closing Ceremony will take place on February 22, 2026 at the Verona Arena, a 1st-century Roman amphitheatre, as detailed by The Guardian (The Guardian). CBS News (CBS News) notes that the schedule is subject to change, but these venues are locked in. For viewers in Vietnam, official broadcast partners have not yet been announced. Historically, the Olympic Channel and various international broadcasters have streamed the Games. Vietnamese audiences will likely need to rely on streaming platforms or international sports broadcasters that secure rights for the Southeast Asian market. Planning a trip to Italy for the Games? The Best Travel Apps for Planning guide can help organize your logistics.

The implication: Unlike the Summer Olympics, which often have dedicated local broadcast deals, Winter Olympics viewership in tropical countries like Vietnam is an afterthought for most rights holders, making streaming the most likely access point.

For Vietnamese sports fans, the 2026 Winter Olympics hold a dual promise. If an athlete marches in the Parade of Nations, it will be a watershed moment for winter sports in the country. If not, the Games still offer a rare chance to connect with a global sporting spectacle that has long felt out of reach. The consequence for Vietnam is clear: the invitation is on the table, and the decision to build a winter sports programme — or not — will define the country’s relationship with the Winter Games for a generation.