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Bet on Winter Olympics 2026 with bitcoin & crypto at Cloudbet

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXV Winter Olympic Games, will be hosted by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6, 2026 to February 22, 2026. This will mark the third time Italy has hosted the Winter Olympics.

What are the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics are the premier international multi‑sport competition for snow and ice sports, held every four years under the governance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

The Games trace their roots back to the early 20th century when winter sport competitions - like the Nordic Games - gained popularity in northern Europe. By 1921, the IOC formally agreed to establish a separate winter event, leading to the first International Winter Sports Week in Chamonix, France in 1924, later retroactively designated the first Olympic Winter Games.

Winter Olympic competitions feature disciplines such as alpine skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, biathlon and speed skating. The scale of the event has grown dramatically since 1924, when 16 nations and around 250 athletes competed, to recent editions featuring nearly 3,000 athletes from over 90 countries in more than 100 events. 

Over the decades, several nations have built reputations as Winter Olympic powerhouses. Norway has historically dominated medal tables, often leading overall and gold medal counts through excellence in Nordic skiing and biathlon. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Norway topped the medal standings with 37 medals (16 gold), followed by strong performances from Germany and the United States.

The Winter Olympics have also produced iconic moments in sports history, such as the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” when the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated the favored Soviet squad, and the continued emergence of standout athletes in snowboarding, skating and ski events. These performances fuel global interest and betting markets, including crypto‑friendly platforms where fans can back their favorite nations and athletes. 

Background and history to the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics bidding process was highly competitive and reflected evolving priorities in cost, sustainability, and local support. Initially, seven cities expressed interest in hosting the 2026 Games, but most withdrew due to financial and logistical concerns. By the candidate stage, only two bids remained: Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and Stockholm–Åre, Sweden. 

On 24 June 2019, at the 134th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, the IOC selected Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo as the host for the XXV Winter Olympic Games by a vote of 47 to 34 over the Swedish bid. Italy’s winning bid emphasized strong public support, existing infrastructure and a sustainable approach to venue planning. 

This selection marked a noteworthy moment in Olympic history: the 2026 Winter Games will be jointly hosted across multiple cities and regions, with Milan facilitating ice sports and Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alpine venues hosting snow events. Despite challenges in preparations - including infrastructure delays and budget scrutiny reported by some outlets - organizers continue working toward delivering a successful global competition. 

In the lead‑up to the Games, Olympic organizers and Italian partners have been finalizing venue construction, partnerships and ceremonial traditions like the torch relay, which celebrate the Olympic spirit across Italy. These developments continue to shape global anticipation and, for sportsbooks like Cloudbet, elevate engagement and crypto betting interest around the world’s premier winter sports event.

Which countries are the medal favorites for the Winter Olympics?

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Norway topped the medal table with 37 medals, excelling in cross-country skiing, biathlon and speed skating. Germany followed with 27 medals, driven by strong performances in sliding sports and biathlon, while the United States finished close behind, powered by success in snowboarding, freestyle skiing and figure skating.

The countries most favored to top the 2026 Winter Olympics medal tally, according to Cloudbet:

  1. Norway: The Norwegians enter 2026 as the clear favorite to top the medal table, led by dominant cross‑country skiing and biathlon results. Stars like cross-country ace Johannes Høsflot Klæbo boost gold prospects. Norway’s depth across Nordic and skating disciplines makes it a top pick for most medals.
  2. Germany: The Germans have historically excelled in bobsleigh, luge and biathlon. Their strong sliding sports programs and consistency at world championships position them well. Germany’s blend of experience and depth keeps them near the top of medal forecasts.
  3. USA: The Americans aim high with strength in figure skating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and alpine events. Skater Ilia Malinin’s record Grand Prix performance underscores gold potential. Team USA fields multiple medalists from winter sport World Cup circuits, including freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and figure skating.
  4. Canada: The Canadians remain a medal threat in ice hockey, curling and snowboarding. With deep rosters and strong World Cup results, especially in freestyle skiing and skating, the nation’s Winter Games prospects are robust. Expect contributions from seasoned champions and rising stars across snow and ice events.
  5. Italy: As host nation, Italy enjoys extra momentum and support, particularly in Alpine skiing and speed skating. Italian skiers have shown competitive World Cup form, and home‑ice factors may amplify performances. With strong crowd backing and strategic event placement, Italy could exceed typical expectations.

These countries are the ones to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

How to bet on Winter Olympics 2026 with bitcoin

Betting with crypto is easy at Cloudbet, especially when we offer the most competitive odds among top sportsbooks. Bet on the Winter Olympics in 2026 with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and more, along with stablecoins like USDT and USDC.

Just follow these steps:

  1. Sign into your Cloudbet account and fund your wallet with BTC (or any of the 30+ cryptocurrencies we support on the platform.)
  2. Head over to our ‘Sports’ page: The page covers ongoing and upcoming sports events in various countries. Find the Olympics section.
  3. Research teams, players, trends, and available bet types before placing a bet. Cloudbet also offers insights on bets placed on select games from the sidebar of your chosen Winter Olympics 2026 event.
  4. Place your bitcoin bets and watch the action unfold!

Why bet on the Olympics with bitcoin and crypto?

There are many reasons why sports fans should bet on the 2026 Winter Olympics with bitcoin and crypto at Cloudbet:

  1. Privacy and security: Betting on the Olympics with bitcoin and crypto offers enhanced privacy and security. Cryptocurrency transactions provide a layer of anonymity, allowing users to enjoy their betting activities without sharing sensitive personal information. 
  2. Fast and efficient transactions: Cryptocurrencies offer fast and efficient transaction processing. Deposits and withdrawals can be completed on Cloudbet within minutes, allowing sports fans to quickly fund their accounts or collect their winnings. 
  3. Transparency: Crypto users can see where their funds go on blockchain networks.
  4. Global accessibility: Bitcoin betting at Cloudbet opens up betting opportunities to a global audience. Regardless of geographical location, sports fans can easily access Cloudbet's platform and place bets on their favorite countries, teams and players. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies removes barriers, making it convenient for fans from all over the world to participate in Winter Olympics betting.
  5. Competitive odds and betting options: Cloudbet offers competitive odds and a wide range of betting options for the 2026 Winter Olympics. You'll find a variety of markets to choose from. Cloudbet's comprehensive sportsbook ensures that sports fans have ample opportunities to place their desired bets and maximize their potential returns.
  6. 24/7 access: The bitcoin network never sleeps, so you can bet anytime. Plus, Cloudbet offers 24/7 multilingual support through Live Chat.

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The Welcome Package activates with your first deposit and gives you 30 days to maximize rewards while exploring top sports markets like the NFL, Premier League, and esports, or our wide selection of casino games. After the Welcome Package, players automatically transition to Cloudbet Rewards, offering ongoing rakeback and loyalty bonuses.

Conclusion

Betting on the 2026 Winter Olympics with cryptocurrencies at Cloudbet Sportsbook offers a thrilling experience. From top medal contenders to a wide variety of sports, Cloudbet provides secure and exciting betting options. Join us and make the most of the 2026 Winter Olympics.