Everything to know about this cherished tradition.

On the evening of the 5th, local time, as the 2026 Winter Olympic flame arrived, major tourist areas in Milan, Italy, began to bustle with crowds. Despite being a weekday, restaurants were packed with customers from early evening.

The tradition of the Olympic flame and cauldron dates back 100 years or more. More recently, it’s become a major design moment. At the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the iconic cauldron of the Games is putting on a daily show just like its athletes.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics feature a widespread setup across Northern Italy, with athletes expressing pride and anticipation as the world watches.

The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has sparked intense backlash on social media

There are several prominent names that have been selected as torch bearers, and 10,000 individuals are involved. Rower Petros Gkaidatzis was the first torchbearer after the flame was lit in Olympia, and water polo player Eleni Xenaki from Greece was the last torchbearer for the Greek leg of the torch's journey.

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially started with a spectacular display in Italy.

Some of the biggest stars were honored by carrying the torch on part of its journey from Greece to Milan.