Capacity: 15,000 spectators

Address: Piazza Brà 1, Verona (VR)
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The Verona Olympic Arena, located in the heart of Verona, will host the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Built in the 1st century AD by the Romans, the Arena stands as the city's most iconic landmark and one of the best-preserved ancient amphitheatres in the world. It is the third-largest Roman amphitheatre still standing and arguably the best conserved globally.

Originally used for gladiator battles and wild animal hunts, the Arena lost its original function with the spread of Christianity and was later repurposed as a stone quarry. Today, nearly 2,000 years after its construction, the venue remains fully operational and hosts a wide array of performances—from opera and classical concerts to pop music events—in a setting of unmatched historical resonance.

Sporting events have also found their place here. The Arena has hosted the final stage of the Giro d’Italia on five occasions (1981, 1984, 2010, 2019, and 2022), providing one of the most dramatic backdrops in cycling. In 1988, during the twilight of the Cold War, it staged a symbolic volleyball friendly between the United States and the Soviet Union. Most recently, in 2023, it was the venue for the opening match of the Women’s European Volleyball Championship, featuring Italy versus Romania.