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Cross-country skiing competitions take place between 7 February and 22 February 2026 in the village of Lago in the Italian region Trentino-South Tyrol (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) — a well-established Nordic skiing destination.

Cross-country skiing (a form of skiing) is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the Winter Olympics, testing endurance, speed, and technique across multiple race formats. Olympic medals in cross-country skiing represent the pinnacle of achievement in a sport dominated by nations with deep Nordic traditions.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) oversees the Winter Olympic Games overall. The sport-specific competition is managed in coordination with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (Fédération Internationale de Ski et de Snowboard – FIS), which sets the technical rules and qualification standards for Olympic cross-country skiing. Locally, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee is responsible for planning and delivering the events on the ground.

Venue, Competitors’ Structure, and Prize Pool Overview for Cross-Country Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Cross-country skiing events are held at the Cross-country and biathlon center Fabio Canàl (Centro del fondo e del biathlon Fabio Canal), one of the world’s most established Nordic outdoor skiing hubs, which has previously hosted Olympic and World Championship events.

Approximately 300 skiers are expected to compete across all events. Athletes represent National Olympic Committees (NOCs), i.e., countries. The field is split between men’s and women’s competitions, covering multiple race formats (sprint, distance, relay, mass start). This figure reflects the typical Olympic quota for cross-country skiing and may vary slightly once final entries are confirmed.

There’s no official prize pool for Olympic cross-country skiing. The International Olympic Committee doesn’t award prize money for Olympic medals. Any financial bonuses are awarded individually by NOCs, federations, or sponsors, depending on the athlete’s country.

Participating Teams & Skiers in Cross-Country Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Qualification Overview

Up to 59+ NOCs are expected to have qualified athletes in cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026. Each country can field up to 16 athletes (8 men + 8 women), depending on quota allocations. Examples of confirmed participants based on team announcements:

• Sweden: The Swedish Olympic Committee has already confirmed several cross-country skiers for 2026:
  • Women: Maja Dahlqvist, Johanna Hagström, Moa Ilar, Emma Ribom, Linn Svahn
  • Men: Anton Grahn, Alvar Myhlback (more may be added as selections continue into January 2026)
• Norway: Top Norwegian skiers such as Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (multiple Olympic champion) are widely expected to compete based on his recent World Cup performance.
• Other nations with athletes entered will include traditional cross-country powers such as Finland, Italy (host nation), Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and many others — all of whom have met quota criteria through FIS rankings. Specific full start lists will be published by the IOC and FIS after the qualification period ends (mid-January 2026).

Note: Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation is uncertain; a Court of Arbitration for Sport decision allowed them to compete as individuals in FIS qualification events, but final inclusion depends on sport-specific decisions by FIS and Olympic eligibility rules.

Qualification is governed by FIS and IOC under the 2026 Olympic quota system. A maximum of 296 athletes can compete in cross-country skiing: 148 men and 148 women. Each NOC earns quota spots based on the FIS Olympic quota allocation lists, which rank athletes using their FIS points, derived from results in international FIS races and World Cup standings. The allocation period for rankings runs through the qualification timeline, generally ending around mid-January 2026.

Quota limits

• A nation may receive up to 16 athlete quotas total (max 8 men + 8 women).
• Only four athletes per gender per event may start.
• Host nation Italy is guaranteed a minimum number of quota spots if other criteria are not met.

World Cup and FIS points criteria

• Selection of individual skiers is typically tied to FIS World Cup results and FIS point standards:
  • Top finishers in key World Cup races increase a nation’s quota allocation.
  • Skiers must meet eligibility thresholds based on FIS point lists published shortly before the Games (e.g., sprint, distance point limits).

Team selection

• After quotas are assigned to NOCs, each country selects its own athletes (often based on World Cup results, trials, and internal criteria).
• For example, Sweden announced its selected cross-country team through its Olympic Committee.

Structure and Race Format of Cross-Country Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics isn’t a single tournament with rounds, but a multi-event Olympic discipline spread across the Games. Instead of traditional stages, the competition is structured as multiple standalone medal events, each held on a specific date or over two days.

These events include:

• Sprint (individual & team)
• Distance races (interval start)
• Mass-start races
• Skiathlon
• Relay races

Each race is its own final with medals awarded immediately after completion.

Cross-country skiing uses several distinct race formats, depending on the event:

Sprint events

• Format: Qualification + heats
• Qualification: Individual time trial
• Top 30 advance to heats
• Heats structure: Quarterfinals → semifinals → final
• Elimination system: Progressive elimination (only top finishers advance)
• Winner: First across the line in the final

This is the only cross-country format with head-to-head elimination.

Interval-start distance races

• Format: Individual time trial
• Skiers start at set intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds)
• No direct racing against others on the course
• Winner: Fastest total time
• No elimination. No best-of or bracket system

Mass-start races

• Format: All athletes start together
• Tactical, pack-based racing
• Drafting and positioning matter
• Winner: First skier to cross the finish line
• No elimination. One-race final

Skiathlon

• Format: Continuous two-part race
• First half: Classic technique
• Ski change mid-race
• Second half: Free technique
• Winner: First across the line
• No elimination. Technique switch mid-race

Relay events

• Format: Team relay
• Teams of four skiers
• Each skier completes one leg
• Mix of classic and free technique legs
• Winner: First team to finish
• No elimination rounds. One-race final

The Cross-Country Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics Favorites, Betting Options, and Where to Watch

Cross-country skiing at the Olympics is traditionally dominated by a small group of Nordic powerhouses, and Milano Cortina 2026 is expected to follow that pattern.

• Norway: The benchmark nation in modern cross-country skiing
• Sweden: One of the strongest women’s teams in the world
• Finland: Traditionally powerful in classic-style races
• Italy: Home advantage on a venue Italian skiers know extremely well
• France: Growing strength, especially in sprint events

Betting on Olympic cross-country skiing typically becomes available shortly before the Games, once start lists and race formats are confirmed. You’ll usually find Olympic markets at the top ten bookies online, such as global sportsbooks that cover major multi-sport events, offering a wide range of Winter Olympics odds.

Common betting markets:

• Outright winners (gold medal in a specific race)
• Podium finishes (top-3)
• Head-to-head matchups (skier vs skier)
• Nation medal totals (cross-country skiing only)
• Relay winners

Betting insight: Sprint events are generally more unpredictable due to knockout heats and crashes, while distance and interval-start races tend to favor established endurance specialists.

Cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 will be widely accessible across television and streaming platforms worldwide.

Global & regional coverage

• Europe: Eurosport / Discovery+ will provide extensive live coverage across most European countries
• United States: NBCUniversal networks, with full streaming via Peacock
• Canada: CBC and CBC Gem
• Nordic countries: National broadcasters (e.g., NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland)

Streaming

• Most official Olympic broadcasters will offer live streams and replays via their digital platforms
• Coverage typically includes all heats, qualification rounds, and medal races

On-site viewing

• Spectators can watch races live at the Cross-country and biathlon center Fabio Canàl, one of the most iconic Nordic venues in the world.

Pros and Cons of the Cross-Country Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics Favorites/Fighters