Olympic Flame for Milan Cortina 2026 Games Arrives in Rome, Igniting 63-Day Torch Relay

The Olympic flame for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games has arrived in Italy. It landed in Rome on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The historic moment marks the official start of the Italian leg of the journey.The flame was formally handed over by Greek officials in Athens earlier that day. According to the Associated Press, tennis champion Jasmine Paolini helped carry the lantern off the flight.

Historic Relay Will Traverse Every Italian Province

A massive 63-day torch relay is now beginning. It will cover an impressive 12,000 kilometers across Italy. The route is designed to pass through all 110 Italian provinces.The relay features 10,001 torchbearers. It starts officially on Saturday from Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi. The journey will conclude at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026.

Ceremonial Start and Key Celebration Dates

The flame was first lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on November 26. It used the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror in the traditional ceremony. The flame then traveled to Athens for the formal handover.The Italian relay includes major celebration points. It will be in Naples for Christmas and Bari for New Year’s Eve. The torch will visit previous host Turin on January 11 and arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo on January 26.

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The arrival of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic flame is a pivotal milestone. It kicks off a nationwide celebration leading to the Winter Games. The relay aims to unite the country in anticipation of the global sporting event.

Info at your fingertips

When do the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games start?

The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026. The Games will then run through February 22. The Winter Paralympics follow from March 6 to 15.

How long is the 2026 Olympic torch relay?

The relay across Italy will last for 63 days. It started in Rome on December 6, 2025. The journey covers nearly 7,500 miles before the Opening Ceremony.

How many people will carry the torch?

Organizers have selected 10,001 torchbearers. They will carry the flame across the entire country. The route touches every Italian province.

Where are the key sporting venues located?

Events will be spread across northern Italy. Milan will host skating sports. Cortina d’Ampezzo will feature women’s Alpine skiing, sliding sports, and curling.

When was the last time Italy hosted the Winter Games?

Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 in Turin. The Milan Cortina 2026 Games will mark the 20-year anniversary. Italy has a rich history with the Olympic movement.