The 2026 Winter Olympics are just around the corner, and this time, Italy is playing host! 

Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be at the heart of the action, showcasing some of the most thrilling winter sports in the world. 

Whether you’re a sports fan, a traveler, or just love a good global event, this is the perfect chance to not only enjoy the games but also brush up on your Italian! 

👉 Get started with Italian in the Fluent Forever app! 

A Sneak Peek at the 2026 Winter Olympics 

From February 6 to February 22, 2026, Italy’s Milan and Cortina will be buzzing with athletes and fans from all over the globe.

Milan, the country’s bustling fashion capital, will be one of the central locations, while Cortina d’Ampezzo, nestled in the beautiful Dolomites, will give you that picture-perfect snowy backdrop for the events.

Between these two locations, there’ll be a mix of state-of-the-art arenas and natural venues, offering an ideal setting for a range of exciting sports.

Expect star athletes from all corners of the world to compete, aiming for gold and breaking records!

Learn Some Italian to Level Up Your Olympic Experience 

Heading to Italy for the games?

Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or catching all the action on TV, knowing a bit of Italian will make the experience even more special.

Let’s get you started with some sports-related vocabulary and phrases that will come in handy while you’re there.

Here are a few Italian words for the Winter Olympic sports you’ll be seeing:

Sci [ʃi] – Skiing

Pattinaggio su ghiaccio [ˌpɑt.tiˈnɑʤ.o su ˈɡjɑt.tʃo] – Ice skating

Hockey su ghiaccio [ˈhɑki su ˈɡjɑt.tʃo] – Ice hockey

Snowboard [ˈsnoʊbɔrd] – Snowboarding

Bob [bɔb] – Bobsledding

💡Tip: Add these new words to the app and learn them quickly!

If you’re planning on attending the Winter Olympics in person, learning a few key Italian phrases will make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable.

From finding your way around the venues to buying tickets and chatting with the locals, having some Italian up your sleeve will definitely come in handy.

Here are some useful phrases to get you started, along with examples of when you might need them.

Navigating the Venues

When you arrive at the Olympic venues, you’ll want to know exactly where the events are happening. Use this phrase to ask for directions:

Dove si svolgono le gare? [ˈdoʊ.veɪ si ˈzvɔl.ɡoʊ.noʊ leɪ ˈɡɑː.reɪ]

Where are the events happening? 

You can ask this at the information desk, or even when chatting with a fellow sports fan.

For example, if you’re attending multiple events, you might say, “Scusi, dove si svolgono le gare di sci oggi?“ (Excuse me, where are the skiing events happening today?).

Buying Tickets

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, this phrase will help you at the ticket office:

Quanto costa un biglietto? [ˈkwan.to ˈkɔ.sta un biʎˈʎɛt.to]

How much is a ticket?

Whether you’re buying tickets for a single event or looking for a pass for several days, this question will be essential. You could also ask, “Quanto costa un biglietto per la finale?” (How much is a ticket for the final?).

Getting to the Stadium

Figuring out how to get to the stadium or specific venues is key, especially when you’re in a new city:

Come arrivo allo stadio? [ˈko.me arˈri.vo ˈal.lo ˈsta.djo]

How do I get to the stadium?

If you’re unsure of directions, you can ask this question to a local, a volunteer, or even a taxi driver.

For example, “Come arrivo allo stadio olimpico da qui?” (How do I get to the Olympic stadium from here?).

Cheering for Your Team

When you’re in the heat of the action and want to show your support for your favorite athletes, this phrase is all you need:

Forza! [ˈfɔr.tsa]

Come on!

Italians love to cheer loudly and with passion! Join in by shouting Forza! during a big moment or when your team needs a boost. You can even add the name of the country or athlete, like, “Forza Italia!“ (Come on, Italy!).

Finding Your Way

Once you arrive at the venue, knowing how to find your way around is essential. Use this phrase when you’re trying to locate the entrance:

Dov’è l’entrata? [doˈvɛ lenˈtra.ta]

Where’s the entrance?

This is a great question for when you arrive at a big venue and you’re not sure where to go.

For instance, “Scusi, dov’è l’entrata principale per lo stadio?” (Excuse me, where is the main entrance for the stadium?).

By learning and practising these Italian phrases, you’ll not only feel more confident navigating the Winter Olympics, but you’ll also be able to engage more with the local culture and sports fans around you. Whether you’re cheering on your team or just soaking in the atmosphere, a little Italian will go a long way!

👉 Learn these phrases and more with our Live Coaching!

Why Learning Italian for the Winter Olympics Is a Win-Win

Not only will learning some Italian make it easier to get around, but it will also help you immerse yourself in the culture. Italians are passionate, and being able to communicate even a little bit in their language will make your experience in Italy more enjoyable and memorable. Plus, you’ll feel like a true insider when you can cheer in Italian alongside the local fans!

👉 Try the Fluent Forever app for free! 

Whether you’re there for the downhill skiing in Cortina or enjoying the electric atmosphere in Milan’s ice hockey arenas, knowing some key phrases will keep you ahead of the game – pun intended.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo promise to be an unforgettable experience, blending world-class winter sports with the vibrant culture and beauty of Italy. 

So, why not take this opportunity to pick up some Italian? Whether it’s for buying tickets, finding your seat, or simply chatting with locals, speaking Italian will make your trip more fun and rewarding. 

Let’s get ready for some incredible Olympic action – and a little bit of Italian flair!

Bring your dream of speaking Italian to life with the Fluent Forever app!

More resources for Learning Italian

Books

In the right hands, a good language book can help you tie everything together – vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Here are our recommendations.

📗FOR BEGINNERS

Italian Key Words – Gianpaolo Intronati

2000 frequency words compiled in a neat and organized way. Also comes with digital versions of the words so you can keep learning on your smartphone or computer.

Buy here

Easy Italian Step-by-Step –  Paola Nanni-Tate

Buy here

📕FOR INTERMEDIATE LEARNERS

Italian Short Stories for Beginners – Lingo Mastery

Each story highlights important vocabulary and ends with an English and Italian summary to help you get a general understanding.

Buy here

Practice Makes Perfect: Italian Pronouns and Prepositions – Daniela Gobetti

If you’re feeling stuck with your Italian grammar, this is the book for you. It provides simple explanations of complex Italian grammar rules with real-life examples.

You’ll also find many exercises with an answer sheet to reinforce what you learn.

Buy here

📘FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS

Ecco!: An Introduction to Advanced Italian –  Giuseppe Iavicoli

This one gets into the nitty gritty of Italian grammar and vocabulary. If you’ve reached a point where you feel like you’ve plateaued, this book might help you climb out of that rut.

Buy here

*Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, Fluent Forever earns from qualifying purchases.

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