Key Points
- First Olympic village concept: Paris 1924; modern model: Los Angeles 1932.
- Milan-Cortina 2026: Decentralized villages across Northern Italy for the Games.
- Milan village inaugurated Feb 2, 2026, will become student housing post-Olympics.
The Olympic Games are often celebrated for their grand opening ceremonies and gold-medal finishes, but the real magic happens behind the high-security gates of the Olympic village. With the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo fast approaching, curiosity is peaking about where the world’s elite athletes actually live.
Did you know that the concept of an Olympic village didn't exist in the earliest modern Games? Athletes used to sleep in schools, army barracks, or even on the boats that brought them to the host city. Today, these villages are multi-million dollar mini-cities complete with 24-hour dining halls and polyclinics, which went viral during recent editions.
As we look toward the Milan Olympic village and the decentralized hubs of 2026, understanding what Olympic village life is like and where it all began offers a fascinating glimpse into the logistical marvel that supports the world's greatest sporting event.
What is Olympic Village?
An Olympic village is a special housing complex built to hold all the athletes, coaches, and officials who are taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Its main goal is to make the area around the competition venues safe, secure, and easy to get to.
Many people think of these villages as international zones where athletes from different cultures and backgrounds live together, which promotes the Olympic spirit of unity.
While it's a common misconception that all participants must stay there, do Olympians have to stay in the Olympic village? The answer is no. High-profile stars or specific teams, like the USA Men’s Basketball team, often opt for luxury hotels to avoid distractions.
However, most choose the village for its convenience and the unique experience of the Olympic bubble, which features 24/7 food courts, gyms, and entertainment centers.
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List of All Olympic Villages and Their Countries
The first Olympic village was conceptualized in Paris in 1924 with small wooden huts, but the 1932 Los Angeles Games built the first true modern model in Baldwin Hills. Since then, every host city has developed unique housing solutions.
| Year | Host City | Country | Notable Olympic Village Feature |
| 1932 | Los Angeles | USA | First official village; featured a post office and hospital. |
| 1972 | Munich | Germany | Known for its iconic terrace architecture and security changes. |
| 2008 | Beijing | China | World's largest green building complex at the time. |
| 2012 | London | UK | Converted into 2,818 permanent homes after the Games. |
| 2024 | Paris | France | Focused on carbon neutrality and the famous "cardboard beds." |
| 2026 | Milan-Cortina | Italy | A decentralized model across six different locations. |
Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Historical Archives & Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee.
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Where is the Winter Olympic Village 2026?
The Winter Olympic village for 2026 will be unique because it is decentralized across Northern Italy to accommodate the 22,000 square kilometer spread of the Games. Unlike a single hub, athletes will stay in several Olympic villages depending on their sport’s location.
The main Milan Olympic village is currently being completed at the former Porta Romana rail yard. It will host 1,500 residents in six newly constructed, sustainable buildings. Other key locations include:
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Cortina d'Ampezzo: A temporary village in Fiames with 1,400 beds for mountain sports.
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Valtellina: Athletes in Bormio and Livigno will stay in clusters of existing luxury hotels.
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Predazzo: A dedicated village at the Scuola Alpina della Guardia di Finanza for Nordic disciplines.
According to the official Milano Cortina 2026 dossier, these sites are designed for legacy use, with the Milan site set to be converted into much-needed student housing after the closing ceremony.
ROUTE 60
— Milano Cortina 2026 (@milanocortina26) February 5, 2026
📍 Sesto San Giovanni
🏁 Milano
Day 60 of the Olympic Torch Relay! 🔥
One day to go!
Milano, here we are!!#MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics #TorchRelay2026 #5febbraio #SestoSanGiovanni #ColognoMonzese #Vimodrone #Segrate #Pioltello #SanDonatoMilanese #Milano pic.twitter.com/VMk7GzkcWM
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The 2026 Games mark a historic shift with the most geographically widespread village system in Olympic history. With the Milan Olympic village already inaugurated as of February 2, 2026, Italy is ready to host over 2,800 athletes in a high-tech, eco-friendly environment that blends urban redevelopment with Alpine hospitality.
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