Milan Kicks Off Olympic Week with Dignitary Visits and Traffic Changes
Milan, February 2, 2026 – The city of Milan has officially begun its Olympic Week, leading up to the inauguration ceremony of the 2026 Winter Games on Friday, February 6th. The week commenced with a series of high-profile events and significant traffic modifications, impacting key areas of the city.
President Mattarella and Royal Guests Grace Milan
The first major event on the agenda took place at Palazzo Marino, where Italian President Sergio Mattarella met with members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the Sala Alessi. This traditional welcome ceremony saw the presence of notable figures, including Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Anne, both serving as IOC members. Princess Anne famously competed for the United Kingdom in equestrian events at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Following a customary photo opportunity, the dignitaries proceeded to the Teatro alla Scala for the opening ceremony. The renowned La Scala Orchestra, under the baton of Riccardo Chailly, performed with Luca Salsi, one of the world’s most celebrated baritones. Before the musical program, President Mattarella delivered an address, joined by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milan Cortina Foundation. The orchestra’s performance included the overture from Gioachino Rossini’s “William Tell,” a piece frequently featured in their international tours, followed by Salsi’s rendition of Verdi’s works.
Extensive Traffic Modifications and Road Closures
The arrival of the IOC and President Mattarella necessitated several changes to Milan’s traffic and public transport infrastructure. From 3:00 PM for pedestrians and 2:00 PM for vehicles, access was restricted until midnight in the streets adjacent to Palazzo Marino and Piazza Scala. During this period, from 2:00 PM until the end of the day, a complete ban on circulation and parking was enforced for cars, buses, and trams. Sharing services were suspended, and taxi stands in the surrounding areas were cleared.
Furthermore, from February 2nd until March 18th, circulation for motorcycles and bicycles is prohibited in both directions on the preferential lane of routes 90-91. This restriction applies to the section between the intersection of Viale Serra, near San Siro, and Piazzale Lodi, in the Porta Romana area.
President’s Continued Presence and Olympic Preparations
President Mattarella’s involvement extends beyond the initial ceremonies. On Thursday, February 5th, he is scheduled to visit the Olympic Village in Santa Giulia in the morning, followed by a lunch with Italian athletes. In the evening, he will attend a dinner for Heads of State at the Fabbrica del Vapore.
The pinnacle of the week will be the inauguration ceremony on Friday evening at San Siro. Christophe Dubi, the Olympic Games Executive Director of the IOC, expressed confidence in filling the stadium, noting that 1.1 million tickets have already been sold. However, the event is not without its challenges; social centers are organizing an “anti-Olympic torchlight procession” in the San Siro district. In anticipation of these “heated” days, a comprehensive security plan has been devised by the prefecture, police headquarters, and provincial command, deploying up to two thousand additional personnel.
The city is also undertaking significant infrastructure improvements in preparation for the Games. Train stations are undergoing renovations, with 40 million euros invested in upgrades, including new barriers and fresh paintwork, to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
Looking Ahead: Olympic Houses and Future Events
As part of the Olympic preparations, various countries are establishing their Olympic Houses across Milan. The United States will be hosted at Palazzo Ralph Lauren, South Korea at Villa Necchi, and Italy’s base will be at the Triennale, as reported by Giacomo Valtolina.
The events of this week mark the official start of Milan’s journey towards hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, a period of both excitement and logistical challenges for the city.
