The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are coming to a close on Sunday, February 22 with the Closing Ceremony. In standing with tradition, the Olympic torch will be passed on by Italy in an act of literally passing the torch to the next host nation. However, the Olympic torch will not go to the United States today even though the next Olympic games will be held in Los Angeles in just two years’ time.
There is a very specific reason why L.A. won’t receive the Olympic torch when Italy passes it on. Here’s why the United States won’t be handed the Olympic torch at the Closing Ceremony in Milan-Cortina.
The Next Olympic Host Nation Will Be France, Not the United States of America
GettyThe Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games cauldron designed by Marco Balich is pictured at Arco della Pace monument in Milan, northern Italy on February 18, 2026.
The next Winter Olympics will be hosted by France in the French Alps from February 1 until February 17, 2030 with the Winter Paralympics held in the same location from March 1 until March 10, 2030. As a result of France being the next country to host the Winter Olympic Games, the Olympic torch at the 2026 Closing Ceremony will be passed from Italy to France.
Los Angeles Accepted the Olympic Torch from Paris in 2024
GettyFlagbearer Erin Jackson of Team United States walks in the athlete parade with her team during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Even though Los Angeles won’t be passed the Olympic torch today, the city did receive the torch two years ago when the Summer Olympics wrapped up in Paris. This is because the torch for the Winter Olympics is passed to the next host of the Winter Olympic Games while the torch for the Summer Olympics is passed to the next country that will host the Summer Olympic Games. When the Closing Ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris concluded, France passed the torch to the United States to pay tribute to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
When Team USA walks into the Closing Ceremony in Italy, they will be led by two standout flag bearers who have been named as U.S. women’s hockey captain and gold medalist Hilary Knight and figure skater Evan Bates. Both athletes were among the Americans who made history at these Winter Olympic Games.
Watch Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony in Milan-Cortina on February 22, 2026 at 2:30PM ET / 1:30PM CT / 11:30 PM PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. You can also check your local television listings for spotlights on local athletes, or go to social media for highlights.
Why the Olympic Torch Won’t Go to Los Angeles at 2026 Closing Ceremony