Vancouver Olympic Cauldron to be relit for Milano Cortina 2026 Games
One of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks will once again glow with the Olympic spirit, as the iconic Vancouver Olympic Cauldron is set to be relit to celebrate the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Canadian athletes competing on the world stage.
The Olympic Cauldron from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will be rekindled for two hours starting late afternoon on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at Jack Poole Plaza, located outside the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Building.
Continuing a cherished local tradition dating back more than a decade — when Vancouver began relighting its Olympic Cauldron in solidarity with each subsequent Olympic host city — the public event is expected to attract Olympic fans, families, and visitors eager to witness a symbolic link between past and current host cities.
- You might also like:
- Behind the secret project to build the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron
- Predicting Canada's forward lines, defence pairs and starting goalie at Olympics
- 7 new events debuting at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
- Canada announces flag bearers for Olympic Opening Ceremony
The relighting coincides with the opening day of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The Opening Ceremony, culminating with the lighting of the 2026 cauldron at San Siro Olympic Stadium, will be a three-hour production — broadcast live on CBC and NBC from 11 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. PST.
Vancouver’s Olympic Cauldron relighting ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. PST, shortly after the live broadcast in Italy concludes. Following a short program featuring guest speakers, the cauldron will be illuminated, offering residents and visitors a rare opportunity to see the landmark lit once again.
Big turnout tonight at Jack Poole Plaza.
For the first time since #Vancouver2010‘s 10-year anniversary in February 2020, the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron has been relit, marking the start of #Tokyo2020 and celebrating Canadian athletes. #Olympics #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/MkAhb5iPpu
— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 24, 2021
As of right now, the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron has been reignited to celebrate Paris 2024 and Canadian athletes. #Paris2024 #Olympicshttps://t.co/cMcovv4ZZA pic.twitter.com/jT8NeNRjc3
— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) July 26, 2024
The Canadian Olympic Committee is sending 207 Canadian athletes to Italy, including 33 athletes from British Columbia.
This local event will also celebrate the enduring legacy of the 21st Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
The relighting event is a partnership between provincial Crown corporation PavCo — the operator of the convention centre — and natural gas utility FortisBC.
Jack Poole Plaza’s 2010 cauldron — featuring five natural gas burners formed by the convergence of four glass and steel arms — was first lit by Canadian hockey great Wayne Gretzky on Feb. 12, 2010, right after the Olympic Opening Ceremony proceedings inside BC Place Stadium concluded.
Vancouver Olympic Cauldron relighting for Milano Cortina 2026
When: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Time: 3:45 p.m. start time (after the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Opening Ceremony ends) for the relighting ceremony with a short program of guest speakers, followed by the two-hour cauldron illumination
Where: Jack Poole Plaza — Vancouver Convention Centre West
Tickets: None; free public event