From Last-Minute Tickets to Olympic Magic: Experiencing Milan 2026
Attending the Olympics had never really been on my immediate travel radar — until a quick ticket search in January changed everything. Within days, I went from casually browsing to boarding a flight to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Affordable event tickets, a surprisingly inexpensive flight, and a conveniently located hotel made the decision easy. What I thought would be a simple three-day getaway quickly turned into an unforgettable experience filled with world-class competition, international camaraderie, and my first taste of Olympic excitement in person. Here are some of the highlights from that spontaneous adventure.
The IOC (International Olympic Committee) deliberately releases tickets over a period of time so that all the tickets don't get booked way in advance. When I happened to look in January, I saw that there were reasonably priced tickets available. A quick search showed that I could get a Ryanair flight for 52 euros. I used Outfit to search for hotels that meet my criteria, and found a small, family-run hotel along the Metro line for 120 euros a night. So I made a spur of the moment decision to go to Milan for 3 days. When I shared my plans, some friends decided to join me.
We got tickets to a women's hockey game, USA versus Canada, for only 60 euros. I also decided to see short track speed skating, one of my favorite Winter Olympic events. I spent 180 euros on that ticket. More popular events like figure skating started at 450 euros, so I decided those were out of my price range. Check out @adventuringalone on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube to see my highlight videos of women’s hockey and short track speed skating.
The city of Milan did a really great job of providing signage in the Metro stations to help people figure out how to use the system and how to get to the various venues, which really encouraged people to use public transit to get to the games. I thought Milan would be super-crowded during the Olympics, but because the games were spread out over various cities this year, including Cortina and Livigno, there weren't the big crowds in Milan that I expected.
Seeing the Olympics live is truly an experience. When you're watching at home on TV, it's hard to really understand the excitement in the atmosphere. The athletes are so thrilled just to be participating. Their level of talent is incredible. And when they do well, no matter what country they are from, you're excited for them.
One of the things that I enjoyed the most was sitting in the stands amongst fans from all over the world. While sitting at speed skating, I had Brits behind me, Italians on my right, a Canadian on my left and a Dutch family in front of me. We chatted with each other and supported the athletes on each other's teams during each of the heats.
There are plenty of things to do when you're not seeing a game. You can check out the fan zones and visit the Olympic stores to buy some branded gear. We walked through Sforzesco Castle and Parco Sempione to the Arco della Pace, the site of the Olympic Cauldron, to get some great photos and videos of the Olympic flame.
I also found some time to visit the city of Milan since I had never been before. We wandered through the city and ate plenty of delicious Italian food. A highlight was seeing the Duomo Cathedral. I'll post more about my trip to Milan in a separate blog post.
Looking back, the trip reminded me how rewarding it can be to stay open to unexpected opportunities. The Olympics offered not just thrilling sporting events, but also a chance to connect with people from around the world, explore a new city, and experience a unique global celebration firsthand. If you ever find yourself tempted by a last-minute Olympic opportunity — or any spontaneous travel chance — it may be worth considering. You never know what memorable experiences might come from saying yes.