Towards the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics: Verona lights up with sport, wellness and the outdoors

From October 25 to December 2025, Verona will host ten weekends of free experiences dedicated to movement, wellness and the discovery of its territory. The initiative, conceived by Destination & Verona Garda Foundation and promoted by the Veneto Region, is part of the project “Towards the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics: sport and wellness as a driver of attractiveness for Verona and the Area Brands.”

The city is preparing to welcome two world-class events: the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026, and the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Paralympics on March 6, 2026, both set in the magnificent setting of the Arena di Verona.

In the lead-up to the Games, the strategy aims to strengthen Verona’s image as an international destination for outdoor and wellness tourism, offering Italian and international visitors an immersive program of experiences: cycling tours, trekking, slow outdoor activities, sensory explorations, and tastings among vineyards and rolling hills.

“We want to make Verona and its Area Brands a living stage of the Olympic spirit, where sport, wellness and inclusion become tools for discovery and connection with the territory,” says Paolo Artelio, President of Destination Verona Garda.

The initiative involves Verona and the four Area Brands – Lessinia, Soave Est-Veronese, Pianura dei Dogi and Valpolicella – and stands out for its focus on accessibility and inclusion, offering activities suitable for families, people with disabilities, and visitors with specific needs. Participation is free but requires advance booking through the Destination Management System on the Visit Verona Garda – My Special Needs platform, under the section Accendere lo Spirito Olimpico (Ignite the Olympic Spirit).

The program also includes an international conference on post-Olympic tourism legacy, as well as press tours and fam trips for international buyers and journalists, designed to boost Verona’s visibility on the global tourism scene.

With this project, Verona strengthens its position as a top destination for sport, outdoor, and wellness tourism, laying the groundwork for a model of hospitality that is sustainable, accessible and internationally recognized.

📍 For information and bookings:
Visit Verona Garda – My Special Needs
Category: Accendere lo Spirito Olimpico (Ignite the Olympic Spirit)