Salt Lake City is set to bring Olympic excitement back to Utah well before the 2034 Winter Games arrive. Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced Wednesday that the city will host a large-scale Team USA viewing party for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, transforming downtown into a hub of celebration, community, and Olympic spirit.
The free, family-friendly event will take place at Washington Square and Library Square from February 6–26, 2026, for the Olympics and March 6–15, 2026, for the Paralympics. It will feature giant screens broadcasting the competitions, live music, performances, food trucks, and interactive activities designed to give Utah residents — and visitors from across the country — a front-row experience to the Games.
“Salt Lake City wants to host all of Team USA’s fans, family, and friends,” said Mayor Mendenhall. “Whether you live in Utah, Maine, Washington, or even Brazil — if you’re not heading to Italy, you need to be here with us.”
The event will also include appearances from past Olympians and Paralympians, along with potential visits from current Team USA athletes. The city partnered with Dragonfli Media, the same event production company that helped organize last year’s Olympic host city announcement celebration that drew thousands of attendees.
According to Dragonfli’s Mike Jaquet, each night of the event will have a unique theme tied to Olympic sports. For example, one evening might focus on bobsledding, complete with former Team USA competitors, while another could highlight skiing or snowboarding. Portions of 200 East may be temporarily closed to create more space for spectators and festivities.
Olympic gold medalist Tristan Gale, who attended the city’s 1995 viewing party for the 2002 host city announcement, said events like this can ignite lifelong inspiration. “The Olympic spirit is so catchable,” she said. “Everybody loves the Games — they bring the entire world together.”
In addition to celebrating Team USA, the city will use the 2026 event to engage residents on how they want the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics to take shape. Officials will launch a community feedback process next week, allowing Utahns to share ideas about positive impacts, sustainability, and local benefits.
Organizers are already well underway in planning for 2034. The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games announced that it has raised over $200 million toward its $300 million goal for early event preparation. The remainder of the funding is expected to come after the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, once national sponsorship opportunities open.
Salt Lake City previously hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, which generated an estimated $7.5 billion in economic activity (adjusted for inflation). Hosting again in 2034 is projected to bring roughly $6.6 billion in new economic output, largely due to the city’s existing venues and infrastructure that remain in use today.
Mayor Mendenhall said the upcoming 2026 viewing celebration is designed to rekindle that same spirit. “This is our chance to celebrate together, to feel the excitement, and to remind the world that Salt Lake City is ready to host again,” she said.
