New sports and events to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy

The Olympic Games change with every edition. New cities host the Games. New athletes shine on the world stage. Even the sports and events continue to evolve. Every few years, fans see something different. The Winter Olympics are no exception. Each edition reflects the growth of winter sports and the push for greater balance, excitement, and global appeal. Milan Cortina 2026 will follow that tradition with several fresh additions to the program.When the Opening Ceremony begins on February 6, the world will see six new events added to the Olympic Winter Games. Some are new versions of existing sports. Others mark long-awaited chances for women and mixed teams. The 2026 Games, coming to you live on NBC and Peacock, will introduce new formats across skiing, sliding sports, and ski jumping. These changes promise more action, more medals, and more stories to follow.The biggest addition is Ski Mountaineering, also known as “skimo.” It is the only completely new sport at the 2026 Winter Games. The event combines endurance and technical skill. Athletes climb uphill on skis, move through a transition zone, and then ski back down. The Olympic program will include men’s and women’s sprint events. There will also be a mixed relay with one man and one woman racing together across four runs.Women’s Doubles Luge will also make its Olympic debut. Doubles Luge has been part of the Games since the 1960s, but only men competed. In Milan Cortina, women will finally compete in the two-athlete format, lying together on the same sled as they race down the track.Mixed-team Skeleton adds another new element. Skeleton athletes race head first down an icy track. In 2026, teams will include one man and one woman. Each athlete will take a run, and their combined times will decide the final standings.Dual Moguls will join the freestyle skiing program for the first time. Two skiers will race side by side down a mogul-filled course with jumps and tricks. Judges will score them, and the higher score advances to the next round.Alpine Skiing Team Combined also debuts. One athlete will ski the downhill run. A teammate will ski the slalom. Their combined time will determine the winner.Finally, Women’s Large Hill Ski Jumping arrives. Women will now compete on the same large hill long used by men, bringing bigger jumps and higher flights to the Games.