Osttirol is practically at the heart of the Olympic action: The alpine skiing events in Cortina are only 45 kilometers away, and the biathlon competitions in Antholz are about 35 kilometers away. From St. Jakob, it’s less than 20 kilometers via the Staller Sattel, though that pass is closed in winter. “The Olympic Games in Cortina underscore the international significance of the Dolomites region as a whole,” says Franz Theurl, chairman of the Osttirol Tourism Association. “The geographical proximity between our district capital and Cortina reflects a long-standing Alpine neighborly relationship. Since the 1956 Winter Olympics, the town has been synonymous with sporting history and global attention. Incidentally, from a purely historical perspective, the connection has existed for much longer, as before World War I, the Olympic city of Cortina was at times administered from Lienz.”
The gala evening on February 15, 2026, at the Austria Tirol House in Cortina d’Ampezzo highlights just how vibrant Osttirol is and how closely sports, nature, and culture intertwine there. After all, the vacation region south of the main Alpine ridge is not only a direct neighbor to the Winter Olympics but also home to several international highlights, such as Austria’s largest cross-country ski race, the Dolomitenlauf, and the extreme alpine sports competition Dolomitenmann.
The kickoff for a series of top-tier cycling events in 2026 will take place on June 13 and 14 with the SuperGiroDolomiti and the Dolomitenradrundfahrt, both starting and finishing in Lienz. This will be followed by the TourTransalp on June 21 and 22, 2026: This stage race—which is both athletically and scenically appealing and open to everyone—will once again take place in Lienz and Sillian this year, from where the route continues over the Passo Giau to Riva on Lake Garda. The world-famous road cycling classic, the Giro d’Italia, with stages in Osttirol, further underscores the region’s significance as a hotspot for international cycling. In addition to presentations and a roundtable discussion on the sporting events, the festive evening will feature regional specialties and performances by local singer Sara de Blue as well as a traditional brass band.
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