Rome lights the Olympic Flame: Milan Cortina 2026 Torch journey kicks off

The Olympic flame lit on November 26, 2025 in Olympia, lands in Italy to officially begin its exciting journey through more than1,500 municipalities. The December 6, in the heart of the capital, kicks off the first day of the flashlight relay, with over 10,001 torchbearers chosen from citizens, athletes, local representatives and volunteers.

The program of the Roman day

• Estimated time of departure: 07:30
• Starting points.: Marbles Stadium
• The relay will pass through such iconic neighborhoods as the Aventine, Trastevere and the Colosseum before being welcomed in the evening at the Olympic Stadium, in conjunction with the first major symbolic ceremony.

Each torchbearer will cover about 200-250 meters, ideally transmitting the fire of tradition in a path that combines sports, history and culture.

Rome: a stage of history and sport

Rome is a city that lives in the sign of memory and passion: from ancient Rome to modern soccer, from the Foro Italico to the Campidoglio, each stage resonates with symbolism. The Stadio dei Marmi, the starting point, embodies the Olympic spirit, while the Olympic Stadium represents the beating heart of Italian sporting endeavor.

Who carries the flame

Among the torchbearers:

• Former CONI Olympic athletes, witnesses of the Italian sports past
• Selected volunteers, users registered via open call in February 2025 (10,001 the successful ones)
• Representatives of institutions, local authorities and famous protagonists of culture and sports
• Last secret torchbearer, in charge of carrying the flashlight to the San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026
• Green curiosity and design

The flashlight - made from materials recycled and powered at bio-LPG - will be refillable up to ten times, limiting waste and strengthening the commitment to sustainability .

Rome thus inaugurates a journey that, day after day, will touch on all 20 regions of Italy, crossing 60 cities, 110 provinces, over 1,500 municipalities and touching more than 60 Unesco sites. On Dec. 6, Rome will turn the spotlight on the beginning of the symbolic journey of the Olympic flame. It is not just a relay race, but a journey that blends sports, history, culture and sustainability. A collective moment in which each torchbearer becomes a storyteller of universal values: passion, unity and rebirth.