2030 Winter Olympics facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
XXVI Olympic Winter Games

Opening	1 February 2030
Closing	17 February 2030
Winter
← Milano Cortina 2026 Utah 2034 →
Summer
← Los Angeles 2028 Brisbane 2032 →

The 2030 Winter Olympics, also known as the XXVI Olympic Winter Games and branded as Alpes 2030, is a big international winter sports event. It is planned to happen from February 1 to February 17, 2030, in the beautiful French Alps.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose the French Alps as the preferred host on November 29, 2023. This decision was officially approved during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024.

The Olympic events will take place across two regions in France. These include areas around Lyon and in the departments of Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Hautes-Alpes. Interestingly, the long-track speed skating events are planned for Thialf in the Netherlands. This will be the fourth time France hosts the Winter Olympics and the seventh time it hosts any Olympic Games.

About the 2030 Winter Olympics

How the Host City Was Chosen

The process for choosing Olympic hosts has changed. Now, the IOC talks with interested cities over time. This is called "continuous dialogue." Then, they pick a "preferred candidate" for more detailed discussions. Finally, the IOC delegates vote for the host.

View of Mont Blanc from Les Arcs ski resort

Several places showed interest in hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics. These included Barcelona—Zaragoza in Spain, Salt Lake City in the USA, and Sapporo in Japan. Salt Lake City later decided to aim for the 2034 Games. Switzerland also joined the discussions. In July 2023, France announced its plan to bid with the French Alps. Sweden also proposed a bid for Stockholm–Åre.

On November 29, 2023, the IOC chose the French Alps as the preferred host for 2030. Switzerland was considered for 2038. The French Alps were officially confirmed as hosts on July 24, 2024, after a vote by 95 IOC delegates.

The decision had one condition: the French government and local groups needed to confirm their financial support by October 2024. This was important due to some political changes happening in France at the time. In October 2024, Prime Minister Michel Barnier sent a letter to IOC president Thomas Bach confirming the government's financial backing.

2030 Winter Olympics host city election

Host	NOC name	Yes	No	Abs
French Alps	France	84	4	7

Passing the Olympic Flag

During the 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Verona, Italy, the French Alps were introduced as the next host. The flag of France was raised, and a special performance of "La Marseillaise" (France's national anthem) took place. This was a symbolic moment, welcoming the Games to France.

The Albertville pylon, a reminder of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games, where the Olympic flag arrived after the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Where the Games Will Be Held

The venues for the 2030 Winter Olympics will be spread across different areas. These include clusters around Lyon, Briançon, Haute-Savoie, and Savoie. Five Olympic villages are planned to house the athletes.

Map of the 2030 Winter Games venues in the French Alps

The location for the opening and closing ceremonies is still being decided. Edgar Grospiron, head of the organizing committee, suggested that the ceremonies might be held in the Metropolis of Lyon.

One sport that needed a special venue was long-track speed skating. Building a new facility was too expensive. So, the organizing committee looked at existing venues. On May 11, 2026, they decided to talk with Heerenveen in the Netherlands about using Thialf for speed skating.

There were some discussions about where to hold ice hockey events. After exploring many options, including temporary rinks, the organizing committee announced on May 29, 2026, that Lyon was the "best solution" for ice events. This decision was made to keep venues closer together and reduce travel.

In June 2026, a possible plan for Lyon venues was announced. This plan included the LDLC Arena and Eurexpo for ice hockey. Halle Tony Garnier was listed for figure skating and short-track speed skating. The Palais des Sports de Gerland was suggested for curling. On June 22, 2026, the IOC Executive Board approved the first changes to the venue plan. They also approved Thialf in the Netherlands for long-track speed skating. The final venue plan will be announced after all sports programs are finalized.

Lyon Cluster: Ice Sports Hub

Lyon will host indoor ice events during the games.

Briançon Cluster: Freestyle Fun

Savoie Cluster: Classic Winter Sports

View of the Tremplin du Praz, used during the 1992 Winter Olympics

View of La Plagne bobsleigh track, used during the 1992 Winter Olympics and will be reused.

Haute-Savoie Cluster: Snow Events

Special Outlying Venue

Exciting Olympic Sports

Core Winter Sports

In July 2024, the IOC approved the main Winter Olympic sports for 2030. These include biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing. The specific events for each sport were decided in June 2026.

New Sports Ideas

Several sports organizations have suggested new sports for the 2030 Winter Olympics:

• The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) wants to add 3x3 ice hockey. This fast-paced version has been part of the Winter Youth Olympics since 2020.
• The UCI is pushing for cyclo-cross, a type of bicycle racing. World Athletics wants to bring back cross country running, which was last an Olympic event in 1924.
• In February 2025, there were calls for ice climbing to be included. A venue near Courchevel, Champagny-en-Vanoise, has hosted many ice climbing competitions. However, on June 3, 2026, it was announced that ice climbing would not be proposed for these Games.
• In March 2026, freeriding was suggested as a new sport. This involves skiing or snowboarding on natural, ungroomed terrain. It is popular with young people.

Edgar Grospiron, head of the organizing committee, mentioned other potential new sports in February 2025. These included speed skiing, telemark skiing, and ice cross. He also mentioned a possible return of ski mountaineering, which debuted in the 2026 Games.

On May 7, 2026, the IOC Executive Board decided against including sports that are not on snow or ice. However, they might review this idea after the 2030 Games.

On June 9, 2026, ski mountaineering was officially proposed as an optional sport for the 2030 Games. It was a success in 2026. The events would be held in Briançon.

The Games' Look: Emblem

The official emblem for the 2030 Winter Olympics was revealed on June 18, 2026, in Briançon. The emblem shows a stylish mountain peak with blue, purple, and red colors. These colors blend like rays of light. It represents "clarity, warmth, and renewal" and how different nations come together. The Paralympic emblem has a similar design, but the mountain shape is created by lights shining behind it. The Games' brand name was also shortened to "Alpes 2030."

Watching the Games

Many TV channels and streaming services will broadcast the 2030 Winter Olympics around the world. In France, France Télévisions will show the Games for free. Warner Bros. Discovery (through Eurosport and Discovery+) will offer pay television and streaming in many European countries. This agreement covers the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032.

See also