Gaming at Milano–Cortina 2026: what’s actually part of the Olympic Games

With the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games now officially underway, attention has turned not only to the competitions on snow and ice, but also to the long-discussed relationship between the Olympic movement and the gaming industry. Despite months of speculation, the reality of gaming’s presence at the Games is far more limited than many expected.

The International Olympic Committee has spent recent years developing the Olympic Esports Series, a project centered on virtual sports disciplines that closely mirror real Olympic events. However, this initiative remains separate from the official Olympic competition structure. It does not feature traditional esports titles such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, or Fortnite, nor does it award Olympic medals or appear in the main competition schedule.

During the Milano–Cortina 2026 Games, the Olympic Esports Series continues to exist as a parallel, long-term project rather than an integrated Olympic discipline. Its purpose is to explore how virtual sports and simulations can coexist with traditional athletics, while appealing to younger, digitally oriented audiences—without formally redefining what constitutes an Olympic sport.

From a technology standpoint, the Games do feature the presence of major industry partners. Brands such as Samsung and TCL, both long-standing Olympic partners, are showcasing their latest devices and digital solutions in dedicated promotional spaces in Milan. These venues focus on technology demonstrations and fan engagement, but there is no confirmation of official gaming or esports tournaments taking place within the Olympic Village or fan zones.

Popular live-service games have also been widely mentioned in online discussions, yet no official Olympic collaborations have been confirmed. Titles like Fortnite or Rocket League may run winter-themed or sports-inspired in-game events, but these remain independent publisher-driven marketing activities, not part of the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic program.

One noticeable absence during these Games is the lack of a new installment in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series. For the first time in years, there is no official Olympic video game tied to the Winter Games, and there has been no announcement of a replacement mobile title developed under the IOC’s direction.

As Milano–Cortina 2026 unfolds, it is clear that the Olympic Games are not positioning themselves as a major gaming or esports showcase. Instead, gaming-related elements remain limited to virtual sports initiatives and technology-driven fan experiences. For the gaming industry, the message is clear: while interest in digital formats exists, the Olympic movement continues to approach full esports integration with caution.