The Winter Olympics are the crown jewels of international winter sport; a showcase of speed, skill, and national pride.

In February 2026, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will host the world’s finest athletes as they battle for gold.

Our Winter Olympics outright betting preview covers every angle, from medal favourites to surprise contenders, so get ready to bet on the biggest winter sports event at Parimatch Sportsbook.

The Winter Olympic Games were first held in 1924 in Chamonix, France, following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to create a dedicated event for winter sports such as skiing, skating, and ice hockey.

Since then, the Games have evolved into one of the world’s most-watched sporting spectacles, held every four years.

Norway leads the all-time medal table, renowned for its dominance in cross-country skiing and biathlon. The United States, Germany, and Canada also rank among the most successful nations, producing legendary performances across generations.

As the Olympic flame prepares to shine over Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026, the Games will continue their century-long tradition of uniting the world in a celebration of sport.

The Winter Olympics 2026, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will be a landmark event in Olympic history, as the first Winter Games jointly hosted by two cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, in northern Italy.

Spanning the metropolis of Milan and the peaks of the Italian Alps, events will take place across multiple venues and regions, from world-class ice arenas to scenic ski slopes in the Dolomites.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to run from February 6 to February 22, 2026. Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium will host the opening ceremony, setting the stage for 16 days of world-class winter sport.

The closing ceremony will take place at the ancient Verona Arena, offering a spectacular finale that celebrates Italy’s cultural heritage and passion for sport.

Milano Cortina 2026 will feature some of the most exciting and competitive events in global sport.

Among the highlights, the alpine skiing events in Cortina d’Ampezzo will deliver edge-of-your-seat action as the world’s fastest skiers battle down the legendary Dolomite slopes. In Milan, the figure skating and ice hockey competitions will captivate audiences with their intensity.

New for 2026, ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut, combining endurance, climbing, and skiing skill in breathtaking mountain races.

Other must-watch disciplines include snowboarding, freestyle skiing, speed skating, bobsleigh, and curling, each showcasing unique athleticism and drama.

With more than 116 medal events across 16 sports, Milano Cortina 2026 promises to be one of the most diverse and entertaining editions of the Winter Games yet, and you can bet on all the action with your Parimatch account.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, there are several powerhouse nations for you to look out for when thinking of placing a bet on who will top the medal chart.

The undisputed champions of the Winter Olympics, Norway dominate across skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping. With more medals than any other nation in history, their depth and consistency make them the team to beat once again at Milano Cortina 2026.

Germany’s precision and power have long made them masters of sliding sports like bobsleigh and luge. After topping recent medal tables, expect the Germans to bring their trademark discipline and efficiency to Italy.

A global winter sports powerhouse, the USA excels in snowboarding, freestyle skiing, and figure skating. With new stars rising and a legacy of Olympic champions, Team USA will look to make headlines once again in 2026.

Few nations live winter sport like Canada. Their strength in ice hockey, curling, and speed skating ensures they’ll remain among the medal favourites at Milano Cortina 2026.

The host nation will enjoy the home crowd advantage across its iconic venues in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. With stars like Sofia Goggia leading the charge in alpine skiing, Italy will be eager to deliver gold on home snow.

With its alpine heritage and elite skiers, Switzerland is always a force in downhill, super-G, and snowboard events. Expect the Swiss to shine on the Dolomite slopes as they chase more Olympic glory.

Japan continues to punch above its weight with standout talent in figure skating, ski jumping, and snowboarding. With rising stars and a growing winter sports culture, Japan could surprise a few favourites at Milano Cortina 2026, making them a dark horse worth watching.

The Brits, meanwhile, will be eyeing success in the curling, ice skating, and snowboarding.

If you want to bet on Milano Cortina 2026, you can place the following outright wagers on the action in Italy:

• Most Gold Medals: Wager on what nation you think will top the Gold Medal chart at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Will it be the Nordic giants once again, or is there room for an upset in Italy?

You can bet on the 2026 Winter Olympics by creating an account at Parimatch. Visit our homepage, click the “Sign Up” button, and complete the registration form. Then deposit funds to bet on the action from Italy.

We recommend doing your research and betting on the nation you think most likely to perform in the tournament. You can also bet on each discipline throughout Milano Cortina 2026, while live betting markets are also offered at Parimatch.

When betting on the Winter Olympics, please do so responsibly. We encourage you to set your limits and bet within your means. You can learn more and discover responsible gambling tools by visiting our Safer Gambling Portal.