Next Summer and Winter Games Dates and Locations
The next Summer Games will be Paris 2024, held from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in Paris, France, and surrounding venues. The next Winter Games will be Milano Cortina 2026, scheduled for 6 to 22 February 2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This overview clarifies dates, host cities, and how future Olympic locations are chosen, serving as a durable reference for how the cycle works and why these specific cities were selected.
Upcoming Olympic Editions at a Glance
Below are the confirmed dates and host cities for the next two Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Organizers adjust logistics and schedules over time, so confirm details as each Games approaches.
| Edition | Dates | Host City and Country | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Olympics 2024 | 26 July – 11 August 2024 | Paris, France | Originally scheduled 2020, postponed to 2021, then held in 2024 due to the pandemic; dates shifted to avoid August heat and logistical overlaps. |
| Winter Olympics 2026 | 6–22 February 2026 | Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy | Core ice-sport events in Milan; alpine and Nordic events in Cortina; staging across existing and upgraded venues to control costs. |
How the Olympic Host City Is Selected
The IOC selects host cities through a multi-phase process that balances sport, infrastructure, legacy, and risk. Cities must meet strict requirements around venues, transport, accommodation, governance, and sustainability. The process is designed to be transparent, though local politics, budgets, and global conditions can shift timelines or feasibility.
Key Phases in the Selection Process
- Continuous Dialogue: The IOC engages potential cities years before an election to assess interest and readiness.
- Candidate Phase: Selected cities submit detailed Candidature Files and undergo evaluations by IOC commissions.
- Election: The host city is chosen by IOC Members at an IOC Session, typically several years before the event.
Why Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Are Significant
Paris returns to the Olympic stage over a century after 1924, with extensive plans to use existing and temporary venues to control costs and maximize legacy. Milano Cortina leverages northern Italy’s strong winter sports infrastructure and geography, organizing events across multiple regions to balance logistics and athlete experience. Both editions emphasize sustainability, digital engagement, and long-term urban and sport development.
Evergreen Context: The Olympic Cycle Explained
The modern Summer and Winter Olympics are held on staggered four-year cycles, with Summer typically two years before the next Winter (and vice versa). This creates a predictable rhythm for athletes, cities, and broadcasters, even as specific dates, venues, and formats evolve. Understanding the cycle helps clarify why certain editions are years apart and how host selection adapts to new realities.
Olympic Cycle at a Glance
| Season | Next Edition | Year | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Paris 2024 | 2024 | July–August |
| Winter | Milano Cortina 2026 | 2026 | February |
What This Means for Athletes, Cities, and Viewers
For athletes, the confirmed dates and locations enable long-term training and qualification planning. For cities, the process encourages investments in infrastructure, housing, and sustainability that can benefit residents beyond the event. For viewers, stable scheduling supports broadcasting, travel planning, and engagement, even as the Olympic program and venues continue to evolve to meet contemporary expectations.
Risks, Changes, and Reliable Sources
While dates and host cities are formally confirmed years in advance, organizers may adjust logistics due to public health, security, economic, or environmental factors. Rely on information from the International Olympic Committee and officially designated local organizers for the most accurate and up-to-date details as each Games approach.