The sliding centre for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is still on pace for completion, with track icing set to begin in February, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Despite tight timelines, organisers are hopeful that the site will be ready for the Games, which begin on February 6, 2026.
Construction of the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton venue has been hampered as Italy decided to build a new facility rather than use an existing sliding centre in a bordering nation. The IOC had previously expressed concerns, claiming that repurposing an existing track would have saved money and cut preparation time.
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi has indicated that the venue’s pre-homologation phase will be completed by March. This stage will allow the international bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge federations to assess the course, conduct testing, and make recommendations before official test events begin.
Although the project is still on track, the organisers have acquired a backup destination, Lake Placid in the United States. Dubi stated that the IOC approved the necessity for a Plan B but did not specify a place.
Meanwhile, planners are hurrying to finish Arena Santa Giulia, which will hold ice hockey.
