MILAN, Italy – Snoop Dogg extended an unexpected gesture of goodwill to a local Italian restaurant after a minor payment issue, gifting the owners five tickets to the men’s snowboard halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The incident occurred at Cronox in Livigno, Italy, where the rapper reportedly dined on a cheeseburger, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, and French fries, according to Sofia Valmadre, whose parents own the establishment.
Valmadre explained to Reuters that a staffer attempting to pay for the meal experienced a credit card decline. “My mother told him it was OK [to take the food] without paying,” she said. The following day, Snoop Dogg’s team delivered the tickets as a thank you.
The hip-hop artist’s presence at the Games has been officially recognized since NBC announced his role as a special correspondent for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, a position he has reprised for the current Winter Games. NBC Sports highlighted the announcement during a recent broadcast of Sunday Night Football, confirming Snoop Dogg’s return to Olympic coverage.
Beyond the gesture at Cronox, Snoop Dogg has been actively involved in the Milan Cortina Games, attending events and interacting with athletes. He has been seen cheering on American curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, snowboarder Chloe Kim, and speedskater Erin Jackson, often sporting custom apparel celebrating the athletes. He has also been photographed with fellow celebrity attendee Martha Stewart, learning to ski with Picabo Street, and connecting with athletes like Ilia Malinin, dubbed the “Quad God.”
Stewart recently described Snoop Dogg as a “very fussy eater,” recounting an instance where she surprised him with a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs topped with cheddar cheese during a recent meal.
NBCUniversal’s coverage of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics began with the Opening Ceremony on February 6, with Snoop Dogg contributing his perspective alongside NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico. The rapper’s role mirrors his involvement in the Paris Olympics, where he explored the region’s culture and landmarks while providing commentary on the events.
