Towards a more regional-national approach to hosting the Games: CT2040 learning mission to Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Cape Town 2040 (CT2040) is embarking on its next learning mission to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games from 8 to 16 February. This visit follows our previous missions to Paris 2024 Olympic Games (read the report here) and our 2025 visit of Milan’s San Siro stadium and the Scalo Porta Romana district.

The focus of this mission is on practical observation and experiencing a decentralised hosting model in action. As the first Games in history to span multiple regions and two host cities, Milano Cortina 2026 provides a first-hand look at how the IOC’s "New Norm" operates across a national footprint rather than being confined to a single city.

Several key areas of observation:

• Attending events at the new Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to see how the venue functions within the broader Santa Giulia urban regeneration project.
• Moving between venues using Italy’s rail system to experience the logistical reality of a regional Games and how spectators navigate distant hubs.
• Visiting historic and existing sites, including the Verona Arena and the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, to see how these facilities are utilised to avoid unnecessary new construction.
• Experiencing the "hub-and-spoke" model by attending events across different territories and documenting how the Games feel when spread across a wider geography.

Exploring a regional approach at Milano-Cortina 2026 is an exciting opportunity for us to rethink what the Games can look like for Cape Town and the rest of South Africa. By moving beyond just one city, we can bring the energy of the Games to more of our communities and share the benefits further. Of course, the big question for us remains our transpor and how we connect people across these distances while fosering the Games's spirit. But seeing how Italy is using this model gives us a fresh perspective. We’re here to learn how we can bridge those gaps and use an event like this to build a more connected, integrated region that everyone can feel part of." - Rashiq Fataar, CEO of Our Future Cities and Co-Lead of Cape Town 2040

For more information about the 2026 Games: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026

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