The Olympic torch relay for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games brought festive energy to a rain-soaked Naples on December 24, 2025, concluding its 18th stage with a grand celebration at Piazza del Plebiscito. The relay will pause until December 26 to honor Christmas, resuming its historic 12,000-kilometer journey across Italy’s 110 provinces.
Earlier this week, the flame traversed the ancient ruins of Pompeii, symbolizing a bridge between Italy’s storied past and its modern ambitions. The Campania leg saw the torch pass through Torre Annunziata, Ercolano, and other municipalities before reaching Naples, where football icon Fabio Cannavaro—a Napoli native and 2006 World Cup-winning captain—carried the flame. Cannavaro, currently coaching Uzbekistan’s national team and formerly a coach in the Chinese mainland, called the moment "a tribute to resilience and unity."
The relay’s next major milestone will be its arrival at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the February 6 opening ceremony. With over 40 days remaining, the event continues to highlight Italy’s cultural diversity while building anticipation for the first Winter Olympics hosted in Europe since 2006.
