Olympic Test Event in Cortina upgraded: First qualifying race for Milano Cortina 2026 confirmed – World Cup opener moved to Winterberg

Innsbruck-Igls (FIL/11/15/2025) Preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are gaining momentum: the Olympic test event in Cortina d'Ampezzo will be upgraded to the first official qualifying race for the Olympic luge competitions, in close coordination between the FIL and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The first qualifying event in accordance with Chapter G, page 7 of the current qualification system will be held as an integral part of the Olympic test event from November 27 to 30, 2025, in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The second homologation date for the renovated Olympic ice track in Innsbruck-Igls, scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025, was not successful. Despite intensive reworking in recent days, the track was unable to fully meet the technical requirements of the International Luge Federation (FIL).

World Cup opener in Winterberg secured

In order not to jeopardize the planned start of the EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup 2025/2026 season, an alternative solution was found at short notice: The opener will take place from December 5 to 7, 2025, in Winterberg in the Sauerland region.

FIL President Einars Fogelis expressly thanked the organizing committee in Winterberg for their spontaneous support: "Winterberg's willingness to step in within a few days is a strong sign of solidarity within our luge family. My sincere thanks go to Stefan Pieper's entire team, the staff at the VELTINS-EisArena, and everyone involved on site who are making it possible to offer our athletes a worthy World Cup opener despite the difficult circumstances. This solidarity shows what our sport is all about."

Olympic qualification slightly changed

As Winterberg is already scheduled to host the fifth World Cup of the season (January 9-11, 2026) – an official Olympic Qualifier event on the road to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina – the newly scheduled World Cup opener in December will not count as an Olympic qualifying race.

Instead, the Olympic Test Event on November 29 and 30, 2025, at the new Pista Olimpica Eugenio Monti in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which will take place as planned, will count towards qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

Outlook

With the relocation of the World Cup start to Winterberg, the international luge calendar remains on schedule despite the challenges. The FIL hopes that those responsible in Innsbruck-Igls will press ahead with the necessary technical adjustments so that the traditional Tyrolean track can be homologated for international competitions as soon as possible.

“We know how important Innsbruck-Igls is for our sport – historically, emotionally, and logistically for many teams. Our goal is clear: we want to return there as soon as possible, as soon as the track meets all requirements,” concluded FIL President Einars Fogelis.

Qualification criteria for luge at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina:

https://www.fil-luge.org/cdn/uploads/milano-cortina-2026-qualification-system-for-luge-v3.pdf