Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Guide – Shopping

Tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games are available exclusively through official channels:

• The official Milano Cortina 2026 website

• The official Games app (available in 12 languages for iOS and Android)

The only exception is the On Location platform, the official hospitality provider, which can sell tickets solely as part of complete hospitality packages. Unauthorized sale or resale of tickets is a criminal offense under Italian law (Art. 1 sexies, Law 88/2003, implementing Decree Law 28/2003).

Features of the official app

• Practical guides for venues and transportation

• Competition schedules and times

• Personalized notifications

• Direct access to ticketing and the official store

• Real-time updates on the Torch Relay

• Official shop: mascots, merchandise, collectible pins

• Fan initiatives and the Fan26 digital community, offering exclusive benefits

Purchase limits

• Up to 25 tickets per account during all sales phases

• Up to 10 tickets per session

• Up to 4 tickets for special cases, such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies or high-demand events

Useful tips for buying tickets

• Always purchase tickets through official channels to avoid scams and counterfeit tickets.

• Make sure the digital ticket and payment confirmation are received promptly.

• Keep all receipts and confirmations, as they may be needed in case of issues.

• Check refund and cancellation policies: you are entitled to a refund if an event is cancelled.

• Avoid unauthorized resellers or suspicious offers, including unknown websites, social media ads, or cash/untraceable payments.

As everyone knows, the Euro (€) is the official currency of Italy, which is used for all transactions. Learn the most popular ways to pay, how to exchange currencies, and the crucial security precautions to take when making purchases.

Cash
Cash is still a common way to pay in artisan shops, local markets, and traditional restaurants in Italy, where it is frequently  chosen over other payment methods, particularly for modest purchases. There are restrictions on the amount of cash you can bring into Italy (10,000 euros without completing a customs declaration), and the amount of cash you can use for individual transactions (currently at 5,000 euros). Furthermore, not all places may accept high-denomination banknotes, like 200 or 500 euro notes, so it is best to have lesser amounts on hand for simpler transactions (some ATMs let you to select the denomination when making withdrawals).

How to take out money
To pay  for immediate needs, it is a good idea to exchange a small amount of money into local currency before departing. You can use ATMs for extra needs, which often have better conversion rates than exchange offices found at hotels, or on the streets close to popular tourist sites. Although they are usually found at bank branches, ATMs can also be placed in ket places like train stations, airports, and retail malls. They are easily recognise by their Italian banks signs, such as UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, BNL and Banco BPM. The daily withdrawal cap set by Italian banks is typically between 250 and 500 euros.
Check the terms  with your bank if you need to take out larger sums. Depending on the bank and kind of card, withdrawal costs can differ, particularly when dealing in currencies other than the euro.

Certain precautions must be taken when exchanging money for euros by visitors from non-EU countries. There may be considerable differences in exchange rates and costs if your card is part of foreign (non-European) network. It is advised to utilise only approved banks or exchange locations and to use ATMs connected to global networks like Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, or Maestro in order to prevent unexpected surprises. In order to better plan your costs, it is also helpful to review your bank’s international withdrawal policies beforehand.

A currency exchange transaction may take operation might be longer, but you can also go to post offices, which frequently has a better conversion rates. Lastly, if you decide to use this option, don’t stop at the first currency exchange office you come across because the costs they impose might differ significantly, even between businesses that are only a few meters apart.

Credit or debit cards
All businesses must take electronic payments; there is no minimum amount that must be spent. This rule is  applicable to shops, restaurants, hotels, and even small business owners like cab drivers. Particularly in large cities and popular tourist destination, credit and debit cards are extensively widely used and accepted. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are the most widely used credit cards. Nonetheless, it is wise to enquire about any fees related to using your card overseas with your bank.

Important: Block your card right away by contacting the service provider to initiative security measures if you misplace it or believe it has been stolen. Reporting the incident to a local police station is essentials. To complete the card block, get a reimbursement for illegal activities, or apply for a new card, the bank could need this formal paperwork.

Contactless payments
Both physical stores and public transport in Italy allow contactless payments. By merely tapping your credit or debit card, or an NFC-enable device (such as a smartphone or smartwatch), on the POS (Point of Sale) terminal, you may swiftly and securely make transaction with this system. You will be prompted to enter the security code for larger sums, but you are not required to enter a PIN for quantities under fifty euros. You can finish transaction straight from your smartphone using mobile payment services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, eliminating the need to pull out your actual card. Look for the contactless payment icon next to the checkout and don’t be afraid to ask the merchant for confirmation before making the purchase.

Security of payments
One important consideration when travelling is transaction security. Online payments today typically use two-factor authentication, and cards with chips are more secure than those with magnetic strips. It is advised that you keep a close eye on your bank statement to spot any irregularities and get in touch with your bank right away if you see any questionable behaviour.

Never lose sight of your card when paying at a restaurant or retail establishment, and make sure the amount recorded entered on the POS terminal corresponds to the price displayed on the receipt you were given. Your card information should never be sent by email or posted on unprotected websites. Use only certified websites that have “https” at the beginning of the address bar. Furthermore, a lot of banks provide real-time transaction notifications, which is a helpful tool for promptly identifying fraudulent payments. Make sure your devices are secured with passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition system if you use them to make electronic payments.  Make sure the POS terminal is the right one, whenever you make contactless payments, especially in crowded areas like train stations or airports, where there might be unapproved terminals or amounts higher than those what you knowingly approved. You can always chargeback for a refund in these situations. A safer and more enjoyable experience can be achieved by being well-prepared by understanding about the prices and usage procedures of different payment instruments.

Useful tips for managing payments

• For immediate expenses, keep a modest quantity of cash on hand, ideally in tiny denominations; but, for convenience, use electronic methods.
• To obtain a better exchange rate than exchange offices, use ATMs at banks or at key places like train stations and airports. Verify the fees and daily withdrawal limitations offered by your bank.
• Verify your bank’s policies for using debit or credit cards overseas. Make use of trustworthy global networks including Maestro, Cirrus, Mastercard, and Visa.
• Make sure your smartwatches or smartphones are secured with a passcode or biometric technologies like fingerprint or facial recognition if you use them to make payments.

During the Games, markets, shops, and vendors in high-traffic areas will offer a wide range of souvenirs and event-related products. However, not all items on sale will necessarily be official or of good quality. To avoid purchasing counterfeit or unauthorized products, it is important to pay attention to certain details. In particular, if clothing, accessories, or merchandise featuring well-known brands or official Olympic logos are offered at unusually low prices, they are likely to be counterfeit or unauthorized. Deals that look too good to be true should be avoided. Additionally, labels containing details about the manufacturer, materials, and country of origin should always be present on original objects. Look for the CE mark, which attests to adherence EU standards and is required for the sale of numerous products in the EU.  Avoiding unlicensed street vendors, who are frequently associated with the black market, is another crucial piece of advice. To lower the chance of buying goods that could endanger one’s health and safety, it is better to shop at establishments with a current licence.

It is crucial to take immediate action to safeguard your consumer rights and support the fight against help combat illegal commerce if you discover that you have bought counterfeit goods. First, don’t use the products because fake ones might not be safe enough according to the law and could be unreliable or harmful to your health. The case should then be reported to the relevant authorities, such as the Guardia di Finanza, which deals with unlawful sales and counterfeiting. If you have been harmed by the fake product, you can also report the matter to the Municipality of Rome or get in touch with national consumer protection organisations or the European Consumer Centre Italy.

Useful tips to avoid purchasing counterfeit products

• Look for materials of high quality while buying jewellery, purses, or clothes. Although a fake product may have a similar appearance to the real one, it frequently includes noticeable defects like shoddy materials, uneven stitching, or badly written labelling.

• Make sure you get an authentic receipt when you buy something.

• Laws governing the sale of fake goods vary by country. You can better appreciate when a purchase may be in jeopardy if you know what is banned in Italy.

Tipping is regarded as a courteous and valued gesture in Italy, but it is not required. In restaurants, the bill frequently already includes a service charge, called “coperto” or “servizio”. A tip of 5 to-10% is a tangible method way to show your gratitude if you are happy with the service. Tipping is not customary at hotels, but if the service has been really good, you could like to give the bellhops or other service staff a little tip, typically between 5 and 10 euros. Lastly, rounding up the fare or leaving a small tip is always a nice gesture for tour guide and taxis, while it’s not required.

When you buy a product in Italy as well as in the European Union, you have powerful rights designed to protect you. The legal guarantee ensures that the goods you purchase are fit for use, free of defects, and match the description provided by the seller. Understanding these rules can help you make more informed choices when shopping and empower you to take action if a product falls short of expectations. Protect your purchases and make the most of your rights under EU consumer law!

When you shop online or outside of a traditional store in the European Union, you have the right to reconsider your purchase. The right of withdrawal allows you to cancel your order and return the product within 14 days of delivery—no questions asked. Whether you’ve found a better deal, changed your mind, or the item simply wasn’t what you expected, this consumer-friendly rule protects your freedom of choice in the digital marketplace. Learn more about this essential right making online shopping more secure, flexible, and fair.