MILAN, Italy (WCMH) — With just under a year until the competition begins, the countdown is on until the 2026 Winter Olympics.  NBC4’s Matt Barnes has been on the ground in Italy, previewing the excitement and what we can expect from the games.

The Opening Ceremony will take place in Milan, in front of 80,000 fans at San Siro Stadium.

A newly built arena will host the expected return of NHL players to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014.

Fans will also be able to enjoy the always-popular figure skating and short track and long track speed skating, where American Erin Jackson hopes to win a second straight gold medal.

“There’s going to be a lot of excitement here around the Games. The city and the country are going to really rally around it, so it’s going to be really awesome.” Jackson said.

Games are also scheduled to take place in Cortina, which last hosted the games in 1956.

In addition to luge, bobsled and other competitions, the city will host curling in the same venue that hosted the opening ceremonies nearly 70 years ago.  

Five other winter resort towns will also host events, making this the most spread-out Winter Games ever.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Sport Village will give fans a chance to try their hand at hockey and curling, on a surface very similar to ice.  Fans will also be able to meet the official mascots of the game, the Stoats, Milo and Tina.

The Closing Ceremony will be held in the city of Verona, at the iconic Arena of Verona, built nearly 2,000 years ago.