Less than six months before the start of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, organisers and officials are projecting confidence that all essential infrastructure will be delivered on time. Despite earlier delays and political hurdles, the Games are said to be firmly on track. “Preparations are progressing steadily and according to the timeline we have set,” said Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee, who spoke about the progress yesterday. “We are currently in the core phase of operational implementation.”
Simico, the public company overseeing all infrastructure, confirmed last week that all projects will be completed well in advance of the opening ceremony. Among the most significant milestones is the installation of 377 residential units in the timber-rich Athletes Village, which, once constructed, will eventually host up to 1,700 competitors. Wood Central understands that the focus of work has now shifted to shared amenities, including kitchens, canteens, and athlete support facilities.
“The Village was conceived to ensure modularity, reversibility and sustainability,” said Fabio Saldini, Simico CEO and government commissioner, who last month revealed that all prefabricated units had arrived on site. “Everything is proceeding as planned.”
Located in Milan’s Porta Romana district, the Athletes Village is designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), developed by CIOMA, and is being positioned as a model of regional development. Featuring solar panels, roof gardens, and mass timber systems, it will be the first Olympic Village to meet NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards: “Rather than ceasing to be of use after the Olympics, the Porta Romana Olympic Village will ultimately become a vibrant, self-sustaining neighbourhood,” said SOM partner Colin Koop, who spoke about the design last year. And despite some complications, Wood Central understands the Village is on track to be fully finalised (and opened) in early October before being converted into university housing post-games.
Among the first Games to be delivered under the IOC’s ‘new norms’, organisers have prioritised existing venues to minimise costs and environmental impact. The closing ceremony will take place in Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheatre, while temporary conversions—such as exhibition halls for speed skating—have helped avoid underused legacy structures. One of the few permanent additions is the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, which will become the Eventim Arena post-Games. Meanwhile, the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Cortina was fast-tracked after Transport Minister Matteo Salvini insisted the events remain in Italy. Whilst the track was completed just in time for pre-approval in March.
National support has been vocal. Salvini praised the infrastructure rollout as “a result fully aligned with the planned timeline.” And with the February 6 opening ceremony fast approaching, organisers remain unfazed by the remaining uncertainties. “As with any complex global event, challenges are part of the process,” said Varnier. “We are moving forward with confidence.” The only lingering question is the weather. Italy’s meteorological service has yet to confirm whether there will be sufficient snow next February. Organisers, however, remain undeterred. “We’ll be ready.”
- To learn more about the Milan-Cortina Olympic Village – dubbed a ‘winter wonderland’ click here for Wood Central’s special feature. And to find out why Brisbane organisers are learning from Milan-Cortina, Paris and Tokyo in staging the 2032 Olympic Games, click here for Wood Central’s exclusive coverage.
