MILANO CORTINA 2026: HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME A TORCHBEARER AND TAKE PART IN THE OLYMPIC RELAY

The Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation has officially opened the bids to become a torchbearer and take part in the historic relay accompanying the Olympic and Paralympic Flames to the opening of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

The Journey of the Olympic Flame: Dates and Route

The journey of the Olympic Flame will begin on 26 November 2025 from Olympia, Greece, the historic location where the sacred fire is lit. On 4 December the Flame will arrive in Rome, Italy, and will then cross the entire country, covering 12,000 km in 63 days and taking in all 110 Italian provinces. The last stretch of the route will take the Flame to Milan, where on 6 February 2026 it will enter the San Siro Stadium for the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

In parallel the Paralympic Flame will be lit in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, the cradle of Paralympic sport, and will travel 2,000 km in 11 days before arriving at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics on 6 March 2026.

How to Become a Torchbearer for Milano Cortina 2026

Anyone born before 5 December 2011 can apply to become a torchbearer for a chance to take part in this unique experience. Each candidate will be able to tell their own story and explain the motivation driving their desire to carry the Olympic or Paralympic Flame along the route.

The goal of Milano Cortina 2026 is to select:

10,001 torchbearers for the Olympic Flame

501 torchbearers for the Paralympic Flame

This relay is a moment of great emotion, sharing and inclusion, giving each participant the opportunity to be an active part of a historic event.

Why Apply? The Values of the Olympic Flame Relay

Becoming a torchbearer means bringing with you core values such as:

A passion for sport and the Olympic event

The courage to take on challenges and new goals

Inclusion, representing diversity and unity between people

Along the route, each torchbearer will have the honour of passing through wonderful scenery and experiencing an unforgettable moment that will remain forever in the history of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/it