2026 Winter Olympics Torch Is Lit
26th November 2025
The Torch for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games was lit in Olympia in Greece this morning, but the ceremony was moved inside due to heavy rain. UPDATED
It took place inside the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia.
“This change was deemed necessary for the safety of everyone and to ensure the prestige of the ceremony,” said the organisers.
Spectators were unable to watch it in person, but it was streamed online.
The #MilanoCortina2026 flame is officially lit in Ancient Olympia! 🔥
First torchbearer, rower Petros Gkaidatzis, begins the Olympic Torch Relay, carrying the spirit of the Games toward Italy. 🇮🇹 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JhX6xxXPLn
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) November 26, 2025
The flame is usually lit by focusing the sun’s rays with a concave mirror.
But with clouds overhead a backup flame kindled during a brief spell of sunshine at Monday’s rehearsal was used.
The first flame for the Olympic Winter Games was lit in Norway, for Oslo 1952.
It was followed by Rome, for Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956.
Then again in Norway for Squaw Valley 1960.
While the flames for the summer editions of the Olympic Games have been lit in Olympia since 1936, it was only in 1964, for Innsbruck, that the lighting of the Olympic Winter Games flame began in Ancient Olympia.
From the birthplace of the Olympic Games to #MilanoCortina2026.🔥
IOC President Kirsty Coventry shares a powerful message during the Flame Lighting Ceremony in Ancient Olympia. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/jA3P7n9TgG
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) November 26, 2025
The lighting of the flame embodies the Olympic values of peace, friendship and unity.
Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of the final countdown to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The Torch will tour Greece for nine days and aims to showcase the nation’s cultural legacy as well as its skiing facilities and heritage.
There are 25 ski resorts in Greece as we reported on PlanetSKI over the summer on a visit to Greece.
The Torch then heads to Italy on 6th December.
Over 63 days, the Relay will cover 12,000kms, visiting all of Italy’s 20 regions and 110 provinces.
It passes 60 World Heritage Sites before reaching Milan for the Opening Ceremony on 6 February 2026
It will visit many sites in Italy including the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, the Venetian Grand Canal and one of the highest peaks in the Alps, the 4,554m Punta Gnifetti in the Monte Rosa massif.
The torch will arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo on 26th January, exactly 70 years after the Opening Ceremony of the Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 Olympic Winter Games.
It arrives in Milan 5th-6th February 2026 ahead of the opening ceremony.
The 2026 Winter Olympics takes place from 6th to 22nd February 2026.
Related Articles
- Italy names route and torchbearers for Olympic flame
- Milan-Cortina enters final delivery phase
- Countdown underway for Olympic torch lighting ceremony
 PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
