Esselunga becomes first partner of Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and Esselunga, a leading Italian retailer, have signed a partnership agreement covering the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games organised in Italy.

"I am delighted to welcome Esselunga as the first sponsor of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Vincenzo Novari, CEO of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee. "We will continue in this direction with the awareness of the challenges that await us in the near future, but also aware that today is an excellent starting point. The process of consolidating our commercial positioning is only beginning. This is the first in a series of agreements of great value that will soon be announced and that will be fundamental for carrying out our Games."

Esselunga first Partner of Milano Cortina 2026

By supporting the 2026 Games, Esselunga strengthens its commitment to people, the community and the territory. These are essential aspects of both the company's sustainability strategy and the Organising Committee of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Physical activity and a balanced diet are fundamental to promoting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to drive forward many of Esselunga's initiatives.

Together on the road to the Games

Esselunga is an internationally-recognised large-scale retail chain from Italy. As of today, the group has 25,000 employees and 5.7 million customers. The company's history began in 1957 in Milan with the opening of the first supermarket in Italy. The value put on local products, which is also a key element of Milano Cortina 2026, have always been the company's prerogative. 

"We are very happy to be able to announce this partnership," said Marina Caprotti, Esselunga's Executive Chairman. "Esselunga is a proudly Italian company. Every day we work to help generate value for our country through sustainable development plans and policies. Supporting Italian-made products is one of our priority objectives. The decision to support the Organising Committee of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games correlates with our desire to make our contribution to further promote Italian excellence in the world and celebrate the values that sport represents".

Giovanni Malago, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and the Italian National Olympic Committee added: "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Esselunga to the team of partners of the Organising Committee of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

"The Olympic Agenda 2020 + 5, introduced by the International Olympic Committee, marked a radical turning point in the history of sport by placing the theme of environmental, social and economic sustainability at the centre. This is why it is a source of great pride that Esselunga has chosen to walk alongside us in this magnificent adventure, testifying once again to its bond with the world of sport and with the values that Milano Cortina 2026 wants to represent"

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be held from 6 until 15 March to follow on the Olympic Winter Games, which take place between 6 and 22 February.