Winter Olympics 2026: an event powered by data

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from Friday, 6 February to Sunday, 22 February 2026, bringing the world’s attention to Northern Italy and the Alpine region. Hosted across several cities, including Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Games will feature athletes from around the globe competing in winter sports such as skiing, ice hockey, and speed skating. Beyond sport, the event represents a major European moment, combining culture, innovation, and international cooperation. More information about the Games is available on the official website.  

Organising an event of this scale requires careful planning across many sectors. Transport networks must handle millions of journeys, local authorities prepare for increased tourism, and organisers work to reduce environmental impact in sensitive mountain areas. Issues such as weather conditions, energy use, accessibility, and safety all play a role. Clear, reliable information is essential to support decision‑making before and during the Games, not only for organisers but also for citizens, researchers, and businesses. 

This is where open data becomes highly relevant. Publicly available datasets on transport flows, tourism statistics, climate and weather patterns, and regional infrastructure can help analyse challenges and plan solutions. On the European Data Portal, you can find and reuse European open datasets that support evidence‑based planning for large events like the Winter Olympics, while also enabling innovation and transparency across borders. 

Interested in exploring how open data supports the Winter Olympics 2026? Whether you are attending the Games in person or following them from home, open datasets can offer valuable insights. Visit the European Data Portal to discover relevant datasets, stories, and tools.  

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