The USOC is contemplating a bid for the '26 Winter Games, even though Chair Larry Probst on Friday said the U.S. would “ideally” host in '30 to avoid competing with the '28 L.A. Games for attention and revenue. That position signals to the IOC that the U.S. would consider '26 if no viable European bid emerges. USOC officials also believe the IOC might choose hosts for ’26 and ’30 simultaneously. IOC President Thomas Bach has said he wants to return the Winter Olympics to “traditional” hosts, meaning North America and Europe. "We don’t want to give up on a chance on a 2030 bid by staying out of the 2026 race,” USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said. "Realistically, those are conversations that would need to happen between us and the IOC."
If the U.S. puts forth a bid for ’26, it must choose a city by the end of March. The USOC is open to hearing from any city interested. However, Salt Lake City is widely seen as the best choice because of its existing winter sports infrastructure. On Sunday, voters in Innsbruck, Austria, will decide a referendum on a possible ’26 bid.
