The 2026 Winter Olympics medal table will be one of the most closely followed features of the XXV Winter Olympic Games, offering a real-time snapshot of national performances across snow and ice. As athletes compete for Olympic glory, the medal standings will reflect not just podium finishes, but also years of preparation, national investment in winter sports, and historic rivalries between powerhouse nations.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXV Olympic Winter Games, will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from 6 to 22 February 2026. With nearly 3,000 athletes from 90+ nations competing across 116 medal events, the medal table is expected to evolve daily and generate global attention.
What Is the Winter Olympics Medal Table?
The Winter Olympics medal table is an official ranking system used to list participating nations based on the number of medals won during the Games. It is published and maintained according to the standards of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is universally used by broadcasters, sports federations, and fans.
The table helps:
- Track overall Olympic performance by country
- Highlight dominant nations and breakout teams
- Preserve historical records of each Olympic edition
- Compare performances across different Winter Games
How the 2026 Winter Olympics Medal Table Is Ranked
The IOC medal table sorting system follows a clear and consistent hierarchy:
- Gold medals – Nations with more gold medals rank higher
- Silver medals – Used as the first tie-breaker
- Bronze medals – Used if gold and silver totals are equal
- Alphabetical order – Applied if all medal counts are tied
Each nation is represented by its National Olympic Committee (NOC), not by political or geographic definitions. If two or more countries finish with identical medal counts, they are awarded the same rank.
Host Nation Advantage: Italy in 2026
As the host nation, Italy will be prominently marked in the 2026 Winter Olympics medal table. Host countries traditionally benefit from:
- Familiar climate and venues
- Larger athlete delegations
- Strong home-crowd support
- Increased funding and preparation cycles
Italy will aim to improve upon its previous Winter Olympics performances, especially in alpine skiing, speed skating, and sliding sports.
Key:
- Italy = Host Nation 🇮🇹
Official 2026 Winter Olympics Medal Table (Initial)
Since the Games have not yet begun, all medal counts currently stand at zero. The table below represents the starting state and will be updated once official results are released.
| Rank | NOC | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy* | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals: 0 Gold | 0 Silver | 0 Bronze | 0 Medals
📌 Note: This medal table will be updated live throughout the Games as soon as official results are confirmed.
Sports and Events That Influence the Medal Race
The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature eight sports across 16 disciplines, including:
- Alpine Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Biathlon
- Nordic Combined
- Ski Jumping
- Snowboarding
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Figure Skating
- Speed Skating
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Bobsleigh
- Luge
- Skeleton
- Curling
Historic Olympic Debut: Ski Mountaineering
One of the most anticipated additions in 2026 is ski mountaineering, making its Olympic debut. This endurance-based alpine sport is expected to introduce new medal contenders and diversify the standings, especially for European mountain nations.
Design and Symbolism of the 2026 Olympic Medals
The official medals for the Milan-Cortina Games were unveiled in Venice, showcasing a modern and symbolic design. Created by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), the medals are composed of two interlocking halves, representing:
- The athlete’s journey
- Teamwork and support systems
- Unity between Olympic and Paralympic ideals
Each medal features:
- The Olympic rings on one side
- Event details and venue inscriptions on the reverse
- A minimalist, emotional design focused on human connection
These medals will ultimately populate the 2026 Winter Olympics medal table as athletes reach the podium.
Why the Medal Table Matters for Fans and Nations
The medal table is more than a scoreboard. It shapes:
- National pride and global reputation
- Media narratives and Olympic legacies
- Future funding and grassroots sports development
- Historical comparisons with past Winter Games
For fans, it offers a quick way to follow which countries are dominating, improving, or making history for the first time.
Final Words
The 2026 Winter Olympics medal table will stand as the definitive record of athletic excellence at Milan-Cortina 2026. From historic first medals to record-breaking performances, the table will capture every moment that defines the Games.