In less than 100 days, Northern Italy will be put under the spotlight for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026. Throughout February, you can watch and experience various kinds of winter sports, such as alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and many more.
To bring your bucket list dreams of going to an Olympic event come true, the Winter Olympics is offering hospitality packages through On Location to give you more than just a ticketed experience. The hospitality packages offer a great blend of premium seating for any event you choose, offering private suites for you to watch your favorite sport in.
However, what exactly is included in the hospitality packages, and does it provide protection for your trip? We have provided a comprehensive guide as to what On Location’s hospitality packages offer, and whether it is worth it for your trip to the Olympics.
What Does On Location’s Hospitality Packages Offer?
The 2026 Winter Olympics travel packages offer a premium, unique experience for travelers worldwide seeking to elevate their Olympic trip. If you are someone who is interested in seeing one or two sports while getting a taste of Italy’s culture and cuisine, On Location can provide an unforgettable experience for travelers around the world coming for the Olympics.
On Location offers two types of travel packages: Ticket-Inclusive Hospitality Packages and Ticket-Inclusive Overnight Packages.
Ticket-Inclusive Hospitality Packages
The ticket-inclusive hospitality packages provide the following benefits:
- Official event tickets for any Olympic event that you choose
- Shared or private lounges in or near the venue
- Food, beverages, and service provided by renowned Italian chef Carlo Zarri
Ticket-Inclusive Overnight Packages
The ticket-inclusive overnight packages include the following benefits:
- Official Olympics tickets to any Olympic event that you want to attend
- Guaranteed accommodations for a 2-4 night stay
- Local transportation to the venue
- Hospitality package benefits included
Keep in mind that your ticket to the Olympics, as well as any packages that you decided to add on, are non-refundable and cannot be returned once purchased. With a high-cost purchase like a travel package for the Winter Olympics, it is recommended that you are financially protected in case your plans are changed.
Is Travel Insurance Worth It For the Olympics?
While travel insurance is not included in On Location’s travel packages, it is recommended to get travel insurance from a third-party company to protect your financial investment for the Winter Olympics. With the travel packages ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, travel insurance can be a vital safeguard when traveling to Italy.
Travel insurance can cover up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you experience a snag in your trip plans. Prepaid, nonrefundable expenses include:
- Your flight cost to Italy
- Deposits and On Location’s travel packages
- Prearranged transportation (shuttles, trains, etc.)
- Prepaid tours and activities during your trip
In addition to protecting your trip, the cost of travel insurance is a modest amount, typically no more than 10%, yet it can cover almost everything involved in your travel journey. For example, if the total cost of your trip is $2000, travel insurance can range from $80 to $200, depending on add-ons, how long your trip is, and other various factors. This is a modest amount that can protect a large travel investment like your trip to the Winter Olympics.
Is Travel Insurance Required For a Trip to Italy?
Whether travel insurance is required for Italy ultimately depends on where you are traveling and what country you are coming from. For travelers planning on going to the Schengen area, including Italy, we have broken it down to two considerations:
Visa-Required Travelers
If you are traveling to Europe and you are a non-visa-exempt traveler, then travel insurance is mandatory. Non-visa-exempt travelers require a Schengen visa, and must have a travel insurance policy when applying for a visa. Travelers who require a visa include individuals from countries like China, Ecuador, Fiji, India, and other areas that require to have a visa while in Europe.
U.S. Citizens and Other Visa-Exempt Travelers
U.S. citizens and travelers from visa-exempt countries are not legally required to have travel insurance to enter Europe and Schengen countries if they are there for less than 90 days. However, if you are traveling to a country with high-cost medical care or want to protect your pre-paid trip expenses, it is recommended to get a travel insurance plan to protect yourself both medically and financially while abroad.
Whether you are a non-visa-exempt traveler or a U.S. citizen traveling to the Schengen area for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. When applying for a visa, you must have a travel insurance policy that includes the following coverage:
- A minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage
- Coverage for emergency medical treatment and hospital stays
- Coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
- The policy must be valid in all Schengen Area countries for the duration of your stay
Why Should I Get Travel Insurance For the 2026 Winter Olympics?
1. Weather and Travel Disruptions
Especially with a destination like Cortina d’Ampezzo with very low temperatures around February, flight delays and cancellations are more likely to happen. Additionally, airports in Milan and other parts of Italy may be more congested due to Olympic travel, so it is best to plan ahead for potential travel disruptions.
Luckily, many travel insurance plans offer benefits in case you experience a delay, cancellation, or interruption during your trip. Many policies can offer extra accommodations, meals, and reimburse the cost of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses that you were not able to use due to weather or other travel disruptions that derail your plans.
2. Larger Crowds Call For More Risks
The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics combined are expected to have over 2 million spectators in Italy. With this large number of people, you may be subjected to crowd-related incidents such as pickpocketing and greater exposure to viruses or illnesses.
While we don’t want to think about these kinds of incidents, it is better to be prepared in case you fall ill or experience theft while traveling. Travel insurance can cover your medical expenses abroad if you do fall ill, and can recoup your unused prepaid expenses that you cannot get a refund for.
Additionally, if you experience theft while traveling in a high-tourist spot like Italy, travel insurance can protect your personal belongings that were stolen from you, including your phone, wallet, passport, and other valuables. Many plans also offer a 24/7 assistance hotline that you can call if you need to locate a police station, contact your embassy, or need replacement documents.
3. Medical Coverage Abroad
It is important to keep in mind that your domestic health insurance may not cover you during your trip abroad. While Italy’s public healthcare system offers emergency services to visitors, Americans may experience a difference in the medical care treatment there from what they are used to. Public facilities in Italy are often overcrowded, especially in major tourist destinations.
Private medical facilities in Europe generally offer more comfortable experiences for travelers with shorter wait times and English-speaking staff. However, they operate on a fee-for-service basis, and costs can quickly escalate. Without health travel insurance for Europe, accessing these private services requires substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Get the Best Travel Insurance for the 2026 Winter Olympics
With a travel insurance marketplace like VisitorsCoverage, you can compare the best travel insurance plans for the 2026 Winter Olympics in less than 5 minutes. Whether you want comprehensive coverage abroad or you’re still weighing out your options, finding the right policy for your trip to watch the Olympics can be straightforward with the right tools.
If you need guidance to ensure your trip is fully covered, or if you have any general questions about travel insurance, our team of licensed travel insurance experts is here to help you along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does travel insurance cover nonrefundable Olympic event tickets or hospitality packages if I get sick and can’t travel?
Yes, travel insurance can cover the nonrefundable expenses that you paid for beforehand, including your tickets to the Olympics and travel packages, if you get sick before your trip. Most of the time, you will need to get a doctor’s note stating that you cannot travel due to your illness to have a stronger claim.
Does a policy cover injuries from winter activities I might participate in during my trip to Italy?
It depends on your policy. If you are looking to participate in a high-risk activity during your trip, such as skiing or snowboarding, make sure you are looking for a policy that includes adventure sports coverage. Many insurance policies offer an adventure sports add-on to your travel insurance policy, making sure you are extra covered for medical situations related to your trip.
Does travel insurance include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions?
Most travel insurance policies have a pre-existing medical condition waiver, ensuring you get the coverage you need in the event your condition flares up while traveling. To qualify for the pre-existing medical condition waiver, your insurance must be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit. You also have to make sure that you insure the full cost of the trip, including your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, and you have to be medically stable at the time of purchase.
Will travel insurance cover rental car damage in Italy?
Many comprehensive travel insurance policies offer rental car collision coverage as an optional benefit, which can replace the expensive collision damage waiver (CDW) sold by rental agencies. This coverage typically saves you $15-30 per day compared to purchasing protection directly from the rental company. Verify coverage details and exclusions, particularly for Italy’s limited traffic zones (ZTL), where unintentional violations occur frequently.
Can one policy cover both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, or do I need separate policies for each destination?
Since both destinations are located in Italy, a single travel insurance policy can provide coverage for your entire trip. As long as your coverage dates represent your full stay in Italy, the policy will cover all prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses that you accounted for.
How do I calculate my trip cost correctly?
To calculate your trip cost, you must take note of all of your non-refundable trip expenses. For example, if the only items that are considered non-refundable are your $800 hotel and your $125 ticket to the Olympics, your total non-refundable trip cost would be $925. Some travelers make the mistake of entering the Total Trip Cost when they’re entering their details to get an insurance quote. However, this can only up your insurance price. Therefore, make sure you pay attention to which amount you enter, or you might end up paying a higher price for your insurance than necessary.
When should I buy travel insurance to get full benefits?
If you are looking to add benefits like Cancel For Any Reason insurance or qualify for the pre-existing condition waiver, you should get your travel insurance within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit to ensure you can get those benefits. Also, getting your insurance earlier provides a better window for trip cancellation coverage in case you need to cancel for a covered reason.
What is the claims process like if I need to make a claim in case an illness, injury, or a missed event affects my Olympic trip?
To successfully navigate the claims process, follow these key steps:
- Notify your insurance company immediately after an incident occurs.
- Compile appropriate documentation, such as medical records, police reports, and transportation delay statements.
- Request itemized receipts for all expenses related to covered events (if applicable).
- Submit a complete claim form that includes all supporting documentation.
- Monitor and follow up regularly on your claim status.
- Quickly provide any additional documentation requested by the claims team to ensure a quicker process.
Most companies accept electronic claim submissions, although some may require original documents for certain claim types. Processing times typically range from 15 to 45 days after all necessary documentation is received.
