Milano Cortina 2026 Announces Dual Olympic Cauldrons
Organizers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have released the design for the Olympic Cauldrons. In a first for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, two cauldrons will be used, located in separate cities. The official announcement on January 20, 2026, highlights the joint nature of the Games, which are shared between the metropolitan hub of Milan and the alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. This approach establishes a direct visual and symbolic link between the two host locations.
A Shared Flame Across Two Cities
The “widespread Games” concept for Milano Cortina 2026 finds a tangible symbol in the twin cauldrons. One will be installed at the Arco della Pace in Milan, while the other will stand in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Piazza Dibona. The plan dictates that the two structures will be lit at the exact same moment during the Opening Ceremony and will also be extinguished simultaneously at the Games’ conclusion. This synchronization is designed to represent a continuous dialogue between the urban environment of Milan and the mountainous landscape of the Dolomites, a core theme of the 2026 Games. This decision sets a new precedent for how host regions can collaborate on major international events.
Design Inspired by Nature and Heritage
The architectural design of the cauldrons was developed by Marco Balich with Lida Castelli and Paolo Fantin, in partnership with official sponsor Fincantieri. The core inspiration for the form is the sun, a universal symbol of life and continuity. This concept connects to the Olympic Flame itself, which traditionally represents endurance and renewal.
The design also incorporates Italian cultural heritage, referencing the geometric, interlocking knots found in the work of Leonardo da Vinci. This nod is especially relevant for Milan, a city with deep ties to Leonardo’s life and a modern reputation for innovation and design. The project demonstrates a blend of historical reverence and forward-thinking construction.
The Engineering Behind the Cauldrons
The cauldrons are constructed from aeronautical-grade aluminum, a material chosen for its combination of strength and low weight. Each cauldron features a dynamic mechanical system that allows it to open and close. In its closed state, the structure has a diameter of 3.1 meters, which expands to 4.5 meters when fully open.
This movement is achieved through a complex assembly of 244 pivot points and 1,440 individual components. At the heart of the structure, the flame is housed within an enclosure made of glass and metal. The flame effects are engineered for safety and environmental consideration, producing minimal smoke and low noise. This focus on responsible engineering aligns with the Games’ broader commitment to sustainability.
Ceremonial Schedule and Public Engagement
The lighting of the cauldrons on February 6, 2026, will serve as the finale for the 63-day Olympic Flame Journey, a 12,000-kilometer relay across Italy. Following the opening, the Milan cauldron will become the site of a daily public event. From February 7 until the flame’s extinguishing on February 22, a short show with musical accompaniment will run every hour from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
The story continues with the Paralympic Games. On March 6, both cauldrons will be relit to mark the start of the competition. They will remain lit until the final extinguishing ceremony on March 15, concluding a historic chapter in the Olympic archive. The entire initiative is a significant topic in global news.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The institutional decision to distribute the 2026 Games between two distinct regions, urban and alpine, created an immediate logistical and branding problem. The primary pressure was to project a seamless, unified narrative over a geographically fragmented event. This necessitated a powerful, media-friendly symbol that could resolve the inherent separation between Milan and Cortina.
A secondary framework of decisions involved leveraging corporate sponsorship and advanced manufacturing to produce a technologically sophisticated spectacle. This aligned with Milan’s identity as a center for design and innovation. The operational need for synchronized lighting and extinguishing events made a centrally-controlled, identical pair of objects the only viable solution.
The dual cauldron system is the physical manifestation of these pressures. It is an architectural solution to a problem of political and brand cohesion. The kinetic complexity and cultural references are secondary layers supporting the primary function: to create a symbol of unity where none existed geographically.
