Milano Cortina 2026 Torch Relay Cities and Verona Finale

A flame moving through winter streets tends to pull people outside. The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Torch Relay crosses more than 2,000 kilometres of Italy before the Games begin. For eleven days, cities turn their plazas and historic streets into celebrations as torchbearers carry the flame toward Verona, where the Paralympic Winter Games officially open. For travellers already exploring northern Italy in late February and early March, the relay quietly becomes one of the most interesting events to stumble upon.

Torch Relay Spans 24 February to 6 March 2026

The Paralympic flame begins its journey on 24 February and reaches its final destination on 6 March at the Arena di Verona, the venue for the Opening Ceremony. Along the way, more than 500 torchbearers carry the flame through cities, town squares, and Alpine routes.

Rather than a single continuous run, the relay unfolds through festivals, city celebrations, and ceremonial stops. Some locations host large public events while others experience brief but lively street moments as the flame passes through.

Torch Route Cities Travellers Should Know

The relay spreads across northern and central Italy before converging in the Veneto region. These are the key stops where celebrations are most visible to visitors.

• Turin – 24 February
• Milan – 25 February
• Rome – 26 February
• Bolzano – 27 February
• Bari – 27 February
• Trento – 28 February
• Trieste – 2 March
• Naples – 2 March
• Cortina d’Ampezzo – 3 March (Flame Unification)
• Venice – 4 March
• Padua – 5 March
• Verona – 6 March finale

Turin Opens the Celebrations on 24 February

Turin hosts the first Flame Festival once the relay reaches Italy. The city’s piazzas become the stage for music, cultural performances, and the symbolic lighting of the flame.

Expect activity around central areas such as Piazza Castello and surrounding historic streets. Early festivals like this one tend to be energetic but less crowded than the final stages of the relay.

Verona Arena Finale on 6 March

Everything leads to Verona. On the final day, the torch travels through towns across the Veneto region before entering the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheatre nearly 2,000 years old. The arrival of the flame signals the official opening of the Paralympic Winter Games.

Few torch relay finales happen in a venue this historic. The arena setting creates a dramatic moment as the flame is used to light the Paralympic cauldron.

Train Times to Reach Verona for the Finale

Northern Italy’s rail network makes it easy to reach the final celebration.

• Milan to Verona: about 1 hour 30 minutes, roughly €30
• Venice to Verona: about 1 hour, roughly €15
• Bologna to Verona: about 45 minutes, roughly €20

Crowd-Free Viewing Spots Along the Route

• Smaller neighbourhood streets away from main squares
• Bridge crossings where the relay briefly slows
• Routes between official festival zones
• Smaller towns in the Veneto stage on 4–5 March
• Morning segments of the relay before peak crowds

Free Street Access Points

Most torch relay segments remain completely open to the public.

• Historic city squares used for festivals
• Street routes announced by local municipalities
• Public bridges and river promenades
• Train stations where the flame briefly arrives
• Local parks along the route

Hotel Booking Tips Near the Relay Routes

Accommodation fills quickly around the final days of the relay, especially in Verona and Venice. Hotels near Verona’s historic centre provide easy access to the Arena, but nearby neighbourhoods like Borgo Trento or San Zeno can be quieter and slightly cheaper. Travellers who prefer flexibility often stay in Venice or Padua and take a short train ride into Verona on the final day.

Properties close to major train stations usually offer the easiest access when crowds increase around the Opening Ceremony.

Planning to follow the torch relay across Italy? Neomaxer makes it easier to stay close to the action with handpicked stays across cities like Milan, Venice, and Verona so you can enjoy every celebration without missing a moment.