We have known for some time now that the next winter Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018. Following that South Korean Games the 2022 Games will be held in either Beijing, China or Almaty, Kazakhstan. The list of potential host cities for the 2022 Games was whittled down to just two following cancelled bids by Krakow, Lviv, Oslo, and Stockholm.
But who will host the 2026 Winter Games? A number of cities have already expressed interest in hosting the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which could see the first Winter Olympics held below the equator in South America. Here is a list of cities rumored to be in the running.
Europe
Trento, Italy
Following meetings with president of the Italian Olympic Committee, the President of the autonomous province of Trentino, Italy, announced the intentions of the city of Trento to bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The region recently hosted the 2013 Winter Universiade.
Aosta, Italy
Aosta Valley region main economy is based on winter sports. Starting from 70’s the main winter resorts hosted world events including the 1977 Alpine Skiing World Cup, the 1984–85 FIS Cross-Country World Cup, and the first edition of the winter European Youth Olympic Festival in 1993. And in 2006 Turin hosted the Winter Games less than 100 km away from the alpine city.
Dresden, Germany
Dresden is considered as a potential host city due to its international reputation, airport and highway infrastructure. The city could serve as ideal location for an olympic village and the Main Press Center. Renowned venues such as Klingenthal, Oberwiesenthal, Altenberg, Zittau and Weißwasser could be used, as well as partnering venues in the Czech Republic for Alpine events.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona (where the 1992 Summer Olympics had been held) had waged a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, but, according to mayor Xavier Trias, was not considered ready yet. Instead, one “must concentrate its efforts and commitment to work to reach the Olympic target by 2026”.
Lviv, Ukraine
On June 30, 2014 Lviv decided to withdraw from 2022 Winter Olympics bid and will bid for 2026 Winter Olympics.
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden withdrew from the 2022 bid, but the Swedish NOC president did in December 2014 claim that Sweden could apply again, considering that the IOC want to reduce cost for organizers, which was the problem with the 2022 bid.
Sion, Switzerland
The Swiss city of Sion is rumored to be interested in bidding for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Sion previously bid for the games in 1976, 2002 and 2006.
North America
Quebec City, Canada
In September 2011, Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume had ruled out bidding for 2022. However, the city may bid for another Winter Games in the future. Then-IOC President Jacques Rogge stated that he believes that the 2026 Winter Olympics would be a realistic option for the city to organize the games. A Quebec bed faces the issue of not having a mountain large enough for the downhill event, as the planned location Le Massif was not approved.
United States
There are a number of American cities that have expressed interest in hosting the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Denver originally won the hosting rights for the 1976 Winter Olympics, but relinquished the games after voters rejected the budget in a 1972 referendum. Anchorage lost bids to host the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 1994 Winter Olympics. A 23-member exploratory committee, which includes four Alaskan Olympians, has been formed to delve into the finances and mechanics of pursuing the 2026 Winter Olympics. Boston was actively considering a bid for the 2026 Winter Games but this campaign was dropped when Boston was named the candidate city from the United States by the U.S.O.C. for the 2024 Summer Games.
Reno–Lake Tahoe
Denver
Anchorage
Lake Placid
South America
Argentina Patagonia, Argentina
In October 2014 the Argentine Olympic Committee (COA) revealed the plan to use the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, to be held in Buenos Aires, as the launchpad for a bid in the near future. The Committee identified Argentina’s south-eastern region of Patagonia, which comprises the southern section of the Andes mountains, as a possible location to host the Winter Games. In 2010 it was suggested that Ushuaia would be the main option for a bid.
Chile Santiago, Chile
After an interview with then International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge during the 2012 Olympic Games in London discussions were started about how to organize Winter Olympics in the southern hemisphere for the first time. During the interview conditions in the Andes were highlighted as very suitable to stage snow sports events but a lack of existing venues for the ice sport events was identified as well.
Asia
Japan Sapporo, Japan
Representatives from Sapporo in Japan, host of the 1972 Winter Games, told that the city is considering a bid for the 2026 or 2030 Winter Olympics.
