A buoyant, unexpected anthem is echoing through venues preparing to host the 2026 Winter Olympics: “Che confusione,” a 1980s Italian pop song. As soon as the opening lines are sung, crowds spontaneously join in, a phenomenon observed in hockey stadiums, Milan’s central squares, and even the biathlon arena in Antholz, South Tyrol.
The choice of an unofficial theme song, a lighthearted love ballad rather than a commissioned piece or a re-purposed classic, has been met with widespread approval. It stands in stark contrast to past Olympic musical selections, notably Mariah Carey’s widely criticized rendition of “Volare” at the 2006 Turin Games.
Antholz, a small mountain village in South Tyrol, is preparing to host the biathlon competitions from February 8th to 21st, 2026. Eleven races are scheduled to grab place in the Olympic Arena Südtirol Alto Adige. The arena has been modernized in anticipation of the Games, which will see the world’s biathlon elite compete on Italian soil.
The Olympic Winter Games 2026 will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking the first time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics since Turin in 2006. The selection of Milan and Cortina was made in 2019, beating out other contenders. The games will run from February 6th to February 22nd, 2026.
Beyond biathlon, the Olympic Arena in South Tyrol will also host bob events on February 17th and 22nd. The broader schedule includes ice hockey matches beginning February 5th, figure skating from February 7th, speed skating starting February 9th, Nordic combined events on February 11th, 17th, and 19th, and races in Rennrodeln, beginning February 8th.
Tickets for the events in Antholz are exclusively available through the official ticket shop at tickets.milanocortina2026.org. No tickets will be sold on-site, even on the day of the competitions.
The Paralympic Winter Games will follow the Olympic Games, taking place from March 6th to 15th, but the Paralympic competitions will not be held in Antholz/South Tyrol.
