Quick Read
- Italian President Sergio Mattarella lit the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic torch relay cauldron in Rome.
- The relay will travel 12,000 kilometers over 60 days, passing through more than 300 municipalities and all 110 Italian provinces.
- Over 10,000 torchbearers from sports, culture, film, and civil society will participate.
- The flame will celebrate Christmas in Naples, New Year in Bari, and return to Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Games.
- The relay will conclude at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026.
Italy Welcomes the Olympic Flame for Milan-Cortina 2026
On a crisp December morning in Rome’s Piazza del Quirinale, the heart of Italy pulsed with anticipation. President Sergio Mattarella, flanked by dignitaries and Olympic officials, stepped forward to light the Olympic torch relay celebration cauldron—a ritual that marks both tradition and the promise of new beginnings. This moment, witnessed by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was more than ceremony; it was the formal ignition of Italy’s national Olympic spirit ahead of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
As the cauldron flared to life, Coventry reminded the crowd of the flame’s deeper meaning: “It symbolizes the true spirit of the Olympic Games, bringing people together, breaking down walls, inspiring the dreams of future generations, and flourishing only when every athlete participates without discrimination.” With the cauldron on public display until early afternoon, the symbolism was clear—the Olympic flame belongs to everyone, and every Italian could share in its glow.
A Relay Across Italy’s Historic Landscape
The official journey began at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, where the flame landed and was handed to President Mattarella. From there, the torch relay’s path was mapped out with impressive ambition: a 12,000-kilometer odyssey spanning 60 days, touching more than 300 municipalities, reaching all 110 Italian provinces, and lighting up UNESCO heritage sites along the way.
This relay isn’t just a sporting tradition; it’s a tapestry woven from Italy’s rich history and diverse culture. The flame will celebrate Christmas in Naples and ring in the New Year in Bari, embracing the country’s vibrant regional identities. On January 26, 2026, it will return to Cortina d’Ampezzo, paying homage to the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Winter Games—an echo of Olympic legacy and national pride.
The Faces Behind the Flame: Torchbearers from Every Walk of Life
More than 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame, each with their own story. Athletes, artists, filmmakers, cultural icons, and citizens will have their moment as the torch passes through their towns. This diversity is deliberate, reflecting the Olympic movement’s goal to unite people from all walks of life. The torch’s journey will feature celebrations in 60 cities, providing countless opportunities for communities to gather, reflect, and celebrate their shared values.
President Mattarella, in his address, underscored the power of sport to deliver a message of peace: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are global events that speak powerfully to everyone. Today more than ever, we feel the need for friendship and peace among people.” These words resonate in a world often marked by division, reminding us that the Olympic flame carries more than heat and light—it carries hope.
The Olympic Flame: A Messenger of Unity and Peace
The relay’s route is as symbolic as it is physical. By passing through historic cities and UNESCO sites, the flame bridges Italy’s past and future. Its presence in Naples for Christmas and Bari for New Year’s Eve transforms these holidays into moments of national unity. As the torch approaches its final destination—Milan’s San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026—the anticipation for the Winter Games will reach its peak.
Throughout this journey, the Olympic flame serves as a messenger. It reminds Italians, and the world, of the Games’ ancient roots and their enduring message of peace. As President Mattarella noted, this is a story of “ancient and modern history, with the concept of peace written into their DNA since the earliest times.”
Looking Ahead: The Promise of Milan-Cortina 2026
With the torch relay underway, Italy stands united in anticipation. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games promise not only world-class athletic achievement but also a celebration of Italy’s cultural heritage and its ongoing commitment to peace and inclusion. For IOC President Coventry, these Games are a personal milestone—the first of her presidency—and she has pledged to make them a success for athletes, Italians, and the Olympic movement as a whole.
The journey ahead is long, but every step of the relay is a step toward unity. Each torchbearer, each city, and each celebration adds another thread to the fabric of Italian society. As the flame travels, it invites all to dream, to hope, and to believe in the power of sport to change the world.
Italy’s Olympic torch relay for Milan-Cortina 2026 is more than a countdown to the Games—it is a living symbol of national pride, unity, and the enduring human quest for peace. By weaving together tradition, diversity, and hope, the relay exemplifies how sport can inspire a country and send a message that resonates far beyond its borders.