Italy: Esselunga (supermarkets), 1^st national sponsor of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Esselunga, an Italian supermarket chain, has become the first official partner in the national sponsorship programme for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced the Italian Organising Committee on 26/07/2022. The Milan-Cortina Olympic Games will be held from 06 to 22/02, while the Paralympic Games will take place from 06 to 15/03/2026.

"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," said Vincenzo Novari, chief executive of Milan-Cortina 2026.

In its initial budget, the Milan-Cortina Organising Committee has set itself the target of reaching €550m for its national sponsorship programme, which is just over half of what the Paris 2024 Organising Committee has set for itself in its initial budget (€1bn).

• "By supporting the Games, Esselunga is reinforcing its commitment to people, the community and the region, essential aspects of both the company's sustainability strategy and the…