Visa on the road to Milano Cortina 2026
At Milano Cortina 2026, Visa marks 40 years as a Worldwide Olympic Partner and, since 2003, has proudly served as the International Paralympic Committee’s first global partner – advancing initiatives that enhance payments, support athletes and strengthen local communities.
Key facts
- Contactless “tap to ride” payments across major host-city transport networks
- Milano Cortina 2026 wearable payment bracelet combining NFC and ski access
- Team Visa supporting over 40 athletes from 20 countries
- Social impact through the “She’s Next” women’s entrepreneurship programme and an urban regeneration project in Milan
The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 remind us that every achievement starts with a single step. Celebrating 40 years as a Worldwide Partner of the Games, Visa supports athletes, fans and businesses by making every moment easier and more inclusive through secure payments – whether chasing a dream, cheering in the stands or seizing new business opportunities. Innovation opens doors and brings everyone closer to the action, at the Games and beyond.
Partnership Overview
Visa is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. The company has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since 1986 and became the first global partner of the International Paralympic Committee in 2003. As the Official Payment Technology Partner of the Games, Visa provides secure, seamless and innovative payment experiences inside and outside the venues.
Milano Cortina 2026
Enabling digital access and payments
For Milano Cortina 2026, Visa is working with local transport operators to enable contactless “tap to ride” payments across Milan, Verona, Venice and major airport links. The brand is also collaborating with more than 50 mountain resorts to digitise services such as lift passes, lodging, equipment rental and ski lessons, making them accessible through card-based payments. In December 2025, Visa also launched SkiTap26, a Milano Cortina 2026 edition of the wearable bracelet, combining contactless payment and RFID ski-lift access in one device. Available to Visa cardholders from leading Italian banks, it offers a seamless way to pay and hit the slopes.
Empowering small businesses and local economies
Visa has been operating in Italy for nearly 50 years, and in just the last three years has helped more than one million small merchants go digital. Ahead of Milano Cortina 2026, Visa launched a campaign to promote the positive impact of the Winter Games for small businesses, as well as a merchant programme featuring a special collection of offers and benefits for Visa cardholders in the Games regions. By increasing digital acceptance and giving small businesses the tools to welcome visitors from around the world, Visa is helping ensure the economic benefits of Milano Cortina 2026 both during and after the Winter Games. Visa data shows growing international excitement towards the Milano Cortina area in 2026, with Visa cardholders from Germany, the US, France and the UK purchasing the most Winter Games tickets, and Northern Italy expected to see more than a 160% increase in international travellers[1]. The sentiment of Italians is also very positive: 90%[2] of them expect benefits for the host regions, and 95%[3] of small and medium businesses in the area anticipate a positive economic impact for their activities.
Team Visa
Since its inception in 2000, Team Visa has supported more than 700 athletes from over 70 countries around the world. For Milano Cortina 2026, the team includes more than 40 Olympians and Paralympians, including Italians Leonardo Donaggio (freestyle skiing), Renè De Silvestro (Para Alpine skiing), Lara Naki Gutmann (figure skating), Giacomo Bertagnolli (Para Alpine skiing) and Sofia Goggia (Alpine skiing).
Supporting social impact
Through She’s Next, Visa is supporting women entrepreneurs in the Milano Cortina regions with grants and business training, delivered in partnership with Corriere della Sera and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. Visa has also partnered with the Municipality of Milan to create a sustainable, multifunctional park in the Isola district, featuring community sports and recreation spaces.
Campaigns and engagement
Visa’s Milano Cortina 2026 campaign, Everywhere You Want to Be, features Italian artist Annalisa and celebrates the small steps that bring people closer to their dreams. Visa will also promote the Games through digital, social and TV campaigns, including a new AI-powered creative featuring Team Visa athletes, as well as fan activations such as ticket draws and athlete meet-and-greets.
Media Contacts
Ana Torres - torresda@visa.com
Luca Gentili - gentilil@visa.com
Further Information
www.usa.visa.com/about-visa/sponsorships-promotions.html
www.youtube.com/visa
www.linkedin.com/company/visa
www.instagram.com/visa
www.tiktok.com/@visa
www.x.com/visa
[1] Year-over-year flight booking growth to host city airports during from 1st February to 21st Feb 2025 and 2026.
[2] Ipsos research on behalf of Visa among 500 consumers in Italy, September 2025
[3] Ipsos research on behalf of Visa among 300 SMBs in the MiCo area, April 2025