Upcoming Olympic Games schedule and key details
The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France, from 26 July to 11 August 2024; the next Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan-Cortina, Italy, from 6 to 22 February 2026. The Olympics occur every two years, alternating Summer and Winter editions. This guide explains the timing, how to follow the schedule, and what to expect in the lead-up to each Games.
How often the Olympics occur
The Olympic Games are staged on a regular cycle:
- Summer and Winter editions alternate every two years.
- Each season’s Games takes place roughly mid-year within its designated year.
- The schedule is maintained by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is stable across multi-host cycles.
Olympic frequency and timing basics
Because the Olympics run on a fixed, repeating pattern, the next occurrence is always either a Summer or Winter edition. After a Summer Games, the next event two years later will be a Winter Games, and vice versa. Below is a concise reference table showing recent, current, and near-future editions, including season, host region, and dates.
Key dates for recent and upcoming Olympic Games
| Season | Edition | Host region | Dates | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 2022 | Beijing, China | 4–20 February 2022 | Most recent Winter Games |
| Summer | 2024 | Paris, France | 26 July–11 August 2024 | Most recent Summer Games |
| Winter | 2026 | Milan-Cortina, Italy | 6–22 February 2026 | Next Winter Games |
| Summer | 2028 | Los Angeles, USA | 14–30 July 2028 | Next Summer Games |
How the Olympic calendar is structured
Each Olympic edition is identified by year and season. A Summer Games is always held in a leap year (such as 2024 and 2028), while Winter Games occur in even-numbered years that are not leap years (such as 2022 and 2026) within the same cycle. The IOC coordinates scheduling so that Summer and Winter Games no longer overlap and are spaced to maintain a consistent, predictable rhythm.
How to follow the next Olympic Games schedule
To stay aligned with the next Olympic Games, mark the edition and dates on your calendar, check official sources for updates, and set reminders for major milestones such as opening ceremony, finals, and time-zone-adjusted broadcasts. Confirm event times closer to the date, as broadcast schedules and session times may be refined by organizers and broadcasters.
Why the Olympic schedule matters
The predictable two-year cadence allows athletes to plan training cycles, broadcasters to coordinate coverage, and fans to set expectations for each edition. Knowing when the next Olympics will occur helps with travel planning, following specific sports, and understanding the broader context of qualification and competition phases.