Which Olympics occur in the current calendar year
In most years, the Olympic programme includes both a Winter and a Summer edition. The exact timing and host cities change on a multi-year cycle, so "this year" depends on where you are in that cycle. This article explains the current pattern, lists the most recent and upcoming Games, and clarifies how to determine which Olympics—Summer or Winter—are scheduled for the current year.
Olympic cycle overview
The modern Olympic Games follow a regular, repeating schedule aligned to the calendar year. In this setup, Summer and Winter editions no longer occur in the same year; each occupies its own part of the cycle. Understanding this pattern makes it easy to see which Games are coming next and which were most recent.
Key cycle rules
- Summer and Winter Games no longer occur in the same year; they are staggered across the four-year cycle.
- Both editions maintain a four-year interval between like events (e.g., Summer to Summer).
- Host cities are selected years in advance through a formal election process managed by the IOC.
Most recent and next Olympic Games
To answer which Olympics are happening this year, compare the current date with the scheduled dates for upcoming and recent Games.
Recent Games (completed)
| Game | Edition | Host city and region | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics | 2026 | Milan–Cortina, Italy | 6–22 February 2026 | Upcoming |
| Summer Olympics | 2024 | Paris, France | 26 July–11 August 2024 | Completed |
| Winter Olympics | 2022 | Beijing, China | 4–20 February 2022 | Completed |
| Summer Olympics | 2020 | Tokyo, Japan | 23 July–8 August 2021 | Completed |
How to determine which Olympics this year
If today falls between January and the next Summer Games opening ceremony, Winter Games may be upcoming. If today falls after a Summer Games and before the next Winter Games, the most recent edition will be the prior Summer Games. The simplest method is to check the current calendar year against the known four-year schedule.
Reference timeline for context
- Winter Games occur in even-numbered years near the start of the year (February).
- Summer Games occur in even-numbered years roughly mid-to-late (July–August).
- Host selection for each edition is typically finalized several years before the event; planning cycles last over a decade.
Future host cities and editions
As of now, the next confirmed and upcoming Olympics are the Winter Games in 2026. After that, Summer Games in 2028. Earlier editions have already happened or, for very recent events, just concluded. Longer-term host elections are announced by the IOC, but this article focuses on the reliably confirmed dates.
Practical guidance for tracking the Olympic calendar
To avoid confusion in years when both types of Games could appear close together, use a simple reference rule: check the month and the event type. Winter events cluster around February, Summer events around July–August. Official IOC channels and licensed Olympic media partners provide the most reliable, up-to-date confirmation when new information or adjustments arise.