The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) is positioning Italy to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, citing the country's ongoing preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games as proof that it can deliver another global sporting event on time. CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio made the case during a skateboarding World Cup event in Rome, arguing that recent organizational efforts demonstrate the nation's readiness to take on the challenge—potentially splitting the Games between Rome and Naples.
Why This Matters:
• Dual Italian bid: Italy faces an internal competition between a Rome-Naples proposal and a rival bid from Milan, Turin, and Genoa.
• Financial precedent: Milano Cortina 2026 began with a €1.36B candidacy budget but has since ballooned to total public and private investment estimates of €5.7B-€7B, raising serious questions about cost control for residents.
• International race: Turkey, India, Chile, Qatar, and Germany are all vying for the same prize, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) currently pausing its 2036 selection process.
Italy's Competing Visions for 2036
CONI has formally instructed officials to develop a Rome-Naples joint candidacy, framing it as an "extraordinary" opportunity to bring the Summer Games back to Italy after decades. The strategy mirrors the distributed model of Milano Cortina, leveraging Rome's historical infrastructure and Naples' waterfront assets—particularly relevant after the city hosted portions of the America's Cup sailing competition.
Yet in April 2026, the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria unveiled their own plan, backed by the metropolitan areas of Milan, Turin, and Genoa. This northern proposal emphasizes reusing existing venues and capitalizing on the institutional knowledge gained from Milano Cortina. The Italian Ministry of Sport, led by Andrea Abodi, has expressed confidence that Rome could pursue either 2036 or 2040, leaving open the possibility of resolving the internal rivalry through a staggered timeline or a unified national front.
The Milano Cortina Reality Check
Buonfiglio's confidence rests heavily on the Winter Games, which are set to open in February 2026. However, the organizational track record reveals significant friction. As of late May 2026, only 16 of 98 planned infrastructure projects had been completed, with 51 still under construction and 28 not yet out of the design phase. Independent analyses suggest that 57% of scheduled works will finish after the Games conclude, with some construction sites remaining active until 2033.
The Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 is managing an operational budget that has grown to €1.6B (up from an initial €1.4B). Beyond this operational figure, the total public and private investment ranges from €5.7B to €7B—a figure that encompasses broader infrastructure upgrades and venue development. It's crucial to distinguish these costs from the €6.1B projected economic impact, which represents anticipated long-term benefits rather than actual expenditure. Reports from May 2026 flagged a potential €310M shortfall, driven by €230M in unexpected costs and €80M in revenue underperformance. Regional governments have been asked to cover the gap, adding political pressure to household budgets and regional finances as the opening ceremony approaches.
Despite the delays and cost pressures, public sentiment remains favorable: a May 2026 survey found that 72% of Italians viewed the organization positively, particularly praising the multi-venue format and the reuse of existing facilities. Ticket sales have generated approximately €200M from 1.3M tickets sold, supplemented by sponsorship deals and broadcast rights secured by the IOC.
What This Means for Residents
For Italians, the 2036 Olympic ambition carries both promise and risk. A successful Milano Cortina could validate the distributed model and reinforce Italy's reputation as a capable host, potentially attracting tourism and infrastructure investment to the South. The Rome-Naples corridor would benefit from upgrades to transport links, sporting venues, and hospitality capacity, with Naples positioned to handle aquatic and sailing events while Rome anchors athletics, ceremonies, and cultural programming.
However, the Milano Cortina precedent exposes the financial volatility of Olympic projects. Beyond the direct €5.7B-€7B in infrastructure costs, residents in candidate cities should prepare for several concrete impacts:
Financial burden: Regional governments may impose property tax increases or regional surcharges to cover shortfalls and infrastructure contributions. The €310M shortfall at Milano Cortina provides a cautionary example of how public treasuries must absorb cost overruns.
Construction disruption: Residents should expect years of ongoing construction activity—traffic congestion, noise pollution, and restricted access to public spaces. If awarded the Games, candidate cities would face similar disruptions through 2028-2030 and potentially beyond, as Milano Cortina's experience shows with projects extending to 2033.
Underutilized facilities: The post-Games maintenance burden poses long-term risks. Turin 2006 provides a sobering precedent, with venues like the Palasport Olympico (skating/hockey facility) and the Olympic Village subsequently struggling with low utilization rates and costly upkeep. Naples and Rome would face similar challenges if demand for Olympic-scale venues proves insufficient after 2036.
The IOC's selection freeze adds another layer of uncertainty. In mid-2025, newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry paused the 2036 assignment process to review evaluation criteria. While this pause remains in effect as of this article's timeframe, it is unclear whether or when the IOC will resume selections. This delay means Italy remains in limbo regarding concrete timelines for bid refinement and decision-making. As the IOC announces updates to its selection criteria and resume timeline, residents should expect accelerated consultations and feasibility studies in candidate regions.
The Global Contest and Economic Stakes
Italy is not alone in chasing 2036. Istanbul has submitted a formal letter of intent, as have Ahmedabad (India), Santiago (Chile), Doha (Qatar), and Nusantara (Indonesia). Germany is weighing bids for 2036, 2040, or 2044, while Egypt, Hungary, and Denmark are in exploratory stages. The competition is particularly fierce given that Europe last hosted a Summer Olympics in Paris 2024, and the IOC typically seeks geographic rotation.
The economic argument for hosting remains contentious. Winter Games in the past two decades have seen average cost overruns exceeding 170%, with Sochi 2014 reaching $51B and Pyeongchang 2018 leaving the host province with massive debt despite declaring a modest surplus. Milano Cortina's projected €6.1B economic impact includes an estimated €2.9B tourism boost and the creation of 36,000 jobs, along with a 0.2% lift to Italian GDP. Yet economists caution that such figures often overstate benefits while understating long-term maintenance costs and the opportunity cost of public funds.
Environmental sustainability is another flashpoint. Winter Games require extensive snowmaking infrastructure—consuming vast water reserves—and construction in fragile alpine ecosystems. The IOC has acknowledged these concerns, but legacy projects like underused venues in Athens, Turin, and Beijing illustrate the gap between promises and outcomes.
CONI's Athlete-Centered Pitch
During his remarks, Buonfiglio emphasized that Italy's Olympic ambitions must prioritize athletes over institutional ego. "If we are here, it is because athletes are at the center of attention," he said. "Beware of focusing on personalities—teamwork must serve to put them first. If we do not win, no one would consider us. Our sporting model is a winner and a model of behavior that also manages to advance social messages."
This framing aligns with the IOC's current emphasis on athlete experience and legacy, but it also reflects domestic political realities. The internal competition between Rome-Naples and the northern cities risks diluting Italy's international message unless CONI can broker a unified national strategy. The Ministry of Sport has signaled flexibility, but the clock is ticking: once the IOC resumes its selection process, Italy will need to present a single, credible bid backed by realistic cost projections and cross-regional political buy-in.
The Road Ahead
Italy's 2036 Olympic dream hinges on navigating three parallel challenges: proving Milano Cortina can finish on budget (or close to it), resolving the Rome-Naples versus northern Italy rivalry, and convincing the IOC that the country can deliver a financially and environmentally sustainable Games in a post-reform selection environment.
The skateboarding World Cup in Rome, which Buonfiglio referenced, is one of many test events designed to showcase Italian organizational capacity. But the real test will come in February 2026, when the world watches whether Milano Cortina delivers a smooth experience despite unfinished infrastructure and budget overruns.
For now, residents in Rome, Naples, and the northern cities should expect continued political maneuvering, feasibility studies, and public consultations as CONI refines its pitch. Concrete decisions about site selection and bid priorities are expected within the next 12-18 months, once the IOC resumes its selection process. The outcome will shape not just Italy's Olympic future, but also the allocation of billions in public funds, the trajectory of regional development, and the long-term costs borne by taxpayers across the country.
