Olympic Torch Pauses for Christmas After Naples Stop

The Olympic torch relay reached Naples on Tuesday night, completing its final leg before a two-day break for the Christmas holiday.

The flame has been making its way across Italy since December 6, when it departed Rome's Stadio dei Marmi. It was lit last month at Ancient Olympia in Greece and handed to Italian organizers in early December. The relay will cover roughly 7,450 miles before arriving at Milan's San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on February 6.

When the torch resumes Friday, it heads to Cortina d'Ampezzo—exactly 70 years after the Dolomite resort hosted the opening of the 1956 Winter Games. The route will pass through all 110 Italian provinces and more than 300 municipalities, with end-of-day celebrations planned in 60 cities along the way.

Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, which run February 6–22. The Paralympics follow in March.

You can catch all the 2026 Winter Olympic action right here on nbcpalmsprings.com