In Brief (TL;DR)
Genoa experiences a historic day welcoming the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Flame amidst enthusiasm and sporting passion.
The evocative relay will start from Boccadasse to cross the city center and conclude spectacularly at the Old Port.
Primocanale will follow the 55 torchbearers live, including Vanni Oddera and Linda Cerruti, until the lighting of the cauldron.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
It is a historic day for Liguria and all of Italian sport. Today, Friday, January 9, 2026, Genoa wakes up with its heart beating to the rhythm of the five rings. The **Olympic Flame** of Milano Cortina 2026 has arrived in ‘La Superba’, ready to illuminate the city streets in a collective embrace promising indescribable emotions. The wait is over: the most powerful symbol of the Winter Games will travel through the Ligurian capital’s most iconic streets, transforming a January Friday into an unforgettable celebration.
The atmosphere in the city is electric, comparable only to the great occasions we usually reserve for soccer or major international events. But today there are no club colors to divide us; there is only the azure blue and the fire of Olympia to unite everyone. According to reports from Primocanale, which will follow the event with a live marathon broadcast, the city is already buzzing to welcome the caravan carrying the message of peace and brotherhood of the Games that will begin on February 6.
A Spectacular Route: From Boccadasse to the Old Port
Today’s schedule is tight and designed to touch the focal points of Genoese beauty. According to the Municipality of Genoa, the relay will officially kick off around 4:55 PM from the evocative beach of Boccadasse. Imagine the torch lighting up against the backdrop of the seaside village, a postcard image that will go around the world.
From there, the caravan will travel along Corso Italia, the promenade beloved by the Genoese, then continue towards Viale Brigate Partigiane and Via Cadorna. The highlight in the city center is expected with the passage through Via XX Settembre and the majestic Piazza De Ferrari, the city’s ‘drawing room’, where the crowd’s enthusiasm promises to be deafening. The procession will then continue to Piazza della Nunziata, Via Balbi, and the Maritime Station, traveling along Via Gramsci until the triumphant arrival.
The final destination of this 33rd leg of the journey is the Old Port (Porto Antico). The last torchbearer is expected around 7:25 PM at Calata Molo Vecchio, with an arrival from the sea that promises to be spectacular. At Calata Mandraccio, the Olympic cauldron will be lit amidst applause, marking the end of the Genoese leg.
The Protagonists: Vanni Oddera, Linda Cerruti, and the Charge of the 55
It is not just the route making headlines, but the hands that will carry that sacred fire. There will be about 55 torchbearers alternating along the route. According to information released by the Milano Cortina 2026 organizers, the torchbearers include names embodying Ligurian and Italian excellence. We will see Vanni Oddera, motocross champion and pioneer of mototherapy, bringing his contagious energy, and Linda Cerruti, the synchronized swimming star who has gifted Italy so many medals.
Among the well-known faces will also be content creator Tommaso Cassissa, demonstrating how the Olympics know how to speak to new generations as well. There will be no shortage of Paralympic athletes like Gabriele Lanza (para ice hockey) and sprinter Ilaria Elvira Accame. It is a relay that unites champions and ordinary people, all united by the same dream.
Primocanale Live Coverage and the Party at the Village
For those who cannot physically be along the streets, media coverage will be total. According to Primocanale, the Ligurian broadcaster will broadcast live starting at 5:00 PM, following the flame’s journey through the city streets step by step. Cameras will capture every emotion, from the first step in Boccadasse to the lighting of the cauldron.
At the Old Port, meanwhile, the party will start early. As early as 5:00 PM, at Calata Mandraccio, the "Village" will be open to the public, a space dedicated to entertainment for young and old, with music and institutional speeches. A speech is also expected from Mayor Silvia Salis, a former Italian hammer thrower who is experiencing this moment with the double emotion of being the city’s leader and an Olympic athlete.
Beyond Soccer: Genoa, an All-Around Capital of Sport
Today Genoa proves to be a true capital of sport, capable of going well beyond its visceral passion for Serie A. While the spotlight is usually on the Ferraris stadium, today the city celebrates multidisciplinarity. The adrenaline in the air is the same felt at the start of a F1 Grand Prix or a MotoGP race, where precision and speed are everything.
It is a moment when different disciplines, from tennis, which is experiencing a golden age in Italy, to basketball, bow before the mother of all competitions: the Olympic Games. Seeing the flame pass among the people reminds everyone that sport is culture, effort, and joy, values that go beyond Sunday cheering and embrace a universal ideal.
Towards Turin: The Journey Continues
After tonight’s big party in Genoa, the Flame does not stop. Tomorrow, Saturday, January 10, the tour will continue towards Western Liguria, touching Savona and Imperia, before heading towards Piedmont. On Sunday, according to the official schedule, the torch will arrive in Turin, rekindling memories of the 2006 Games and projecting all of Italy towards the inauguration of Milano Cortina.
Conclusions
Today, January 9, 2026, will remain a date imprinted in the memory of the Genoese. The passage of the Olympic Flame is not just a logistical event, but a collective ritual celebrating life and sport. Genoa has proven itself ready, beautiful, and welcoming, confirming its international vocation. Now all that remains is to go down to the street or turn on the TV to Primocanale: history is passing beneath our windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
The relay follows an evocative itinerary crossing the city’s symbolic places. The start is set at Boccadasse beach, then continuing along the entire Corso Italia, Viale Brigate Partigiane, and Via Cadorna. The procession will reach the heart of the city center passing through Via XX Settembre and the majestic Piazza De Ferrari. Subsequently, the route will touch Piazza della Nunziata, Via Balbi, and the Maritime Station, traveling along Via Gramsci until the final arrival expected at the Old Port.
The official start of the relay is scheduled for approximately 4:55 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026, from Boccadasse, while the arrival of the last torchbearer is expected at 7:25 PM. For those wishing to follow the event from home, the broadcaster Primocanale will air a live marathon starting at 5:00 PM, covering the entire journey of the torch and the concluding celebrations up to the lighting of the cauldron.
There will be about 55 carriers alternating along the Genoese streets. Among the protagonists are sports excellences and well-known figures such as Vanni Oddera, motocross champion, and Linda Cerruti, synchronized swimming star. The list also includes content creator Tommaso Cassissa and Paralympic athletes like Gabriele Lanza and sprinter Ilaria Elvira Accame, representing a mix of established champions and new generations.
The Old Port will host the leg’s grand finale party. As early as 5:00 PM, at Calata Mandraccio, the Village will be open to the public, a space dedicated to entertainment with music and institutional moments. The event will culminate with the spectacular arrival from the sea of the last torchbearer at Calata Molo Vecchio and the subsequent lighting of the Olympic cauldron amidst the crowd’s applause and in the presence of Mayor Silvia Salis.
Once the celebration in the Ligurian capital is concluded, the journey of the Milano Cortina 2026 torch does not stop. On Saturday, January 10, the tour will continue towards Western Liguria, stopping in the cities of Savona and Imperia. The following day, Sunday, the flame will leave the region to head towards Piedmont, with the arrival expected in Turin, a fundamental stop before the official opening of the Games.
Sources and Further Reading
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