The date for the start of the Olympic torch relay is known.

Lighting the flame for the 2026 Olympic Games

The ceremony for lighting the flame for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy will take place on November 26 in Ancient Olympia. According to the Hellenic Olympic Committee, this will mark the beginning of the Olympic torch relay, which will last for nine days until December 4 in Greece.

The route of the relay in Greece will stretch for 2200 kilometers through seven regions of the country. About 450 torchbearers and 15 vehicles accompanying the column will participate in the relay. According to the HOC, the route has been specially designed to showcase Greece's cultural heritage and the country's close connection to winter sports.

“The Olympic flame will visit key points in mainland Greece, showcasing not only the cultural heritage of the country but also its connection to winter sports. The route is designed to cover areas where the 12 largest ski resorts in Greece are located to highlight the country's natural landscapes and its great potential for winter tourism.”

After the route in Greece is completed, on December 4, the Olympic flame will be handed over to the organizing committee of the 2026 Olympics. The competitions will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22.

At the Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, for the first time in history, the number of female athletes will exceed the number of men. The number of participants will be the same as at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but women will be allocated more spots – 5333 compared to 5167 for men.