Keeping track of the Olympic cycle can be confusing, especially with Winter and Summer Games staggered on their own four-year rotations. Here’s a clear look at what’s coming up.
The Four-Year Rhythm
Since 1994, the Winter and Summer Olympics have alternated every two years rather than falling in the same year, giving fans an Olympic event of some kind roughly every 24 months. Youth Olympic Games, covered in our Youth Olympics explainer, run on their own parallel four-year cycle.
Milan-Cortina 2026
The next Winter Games head to Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo co-hosting events across the Dolomites and northern Italy. It marks Italy’s first Winter Games since Turin 2006 and will spotlight sports like alpine skiing, ice hockey and the increasingly popular freestyle disciplines.
Los Angeles 2028
- LA becomes the first city to host the Summer Games three times, following 1932 and 1984
- Flag football and squash are among the new sports set to debut
- Existing Southern California venues are expected to keep costs down compared with recent editions
Why the Calendar Matters for Fans
Knowing the cycle helps fans plan for qualification events, trials and lead-up competitions well before the opening ceremony. It also helps explain medal trends; nations that dominate the Olympic medal table often build multi-year plans around these fixed dates.
For a full breakdown of what’s actually being contested at each Games, see our complete Olympic sports list, and for the all-time great performances that have come out of past editions, check our Olympic records roundup.
Looking Further Ahead
Beyond LA 2028, the IOC has already awarded the 2030 Winter Games to the French Alps and the 2032 Summer Games to Brisbane, Australia, giving fans and broadcasters years of lead time to plan coverage.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a dedicated medal-table tracker, marking these dates now means you won’t be caught off guard when the torch is lit again.