Luge at the 2026 Winter Olympics – Qualification

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The qualification process for the five luge events at the 2026 Winter Olympics is based on performance of competitors at five designated events. Results at these events determine the Olympic Qualification ranking list that is used for quota allocation to National Olympic Committees (NOC). [1]

Contents

Qualification rules

Maximum quota places per event

There will be five luge events at the 2026 Winter Olympics: singles and doubles for both men and women, and a relay event. A maximum of 126 quota spots are available to athletes to compete at the games. A maximum 59 men and 47 women may qualify with the following event specific maximums in place. [1]

Maximum quota places per event
MenWomen
singles2525
doubles1711
relay11

In men's and women's singles events the top fifteen NOCs first qualify one athlete. Then, NOCs second best athletes are ranked and the best seven of those qualify. Finally, NOCs third best ranked athletes are compared, and the best three of those qualify. In men's doubles the top fourteen qualify one pair, three of those NOCs qualify a second pair. In women's doubles the top eleven ranked NOCs qualify one pair. If an event quota is not filled through this method then the next NOC who has not received a quota is eligible. If there is still quotas remaining then the next ranked athletes will be used respecting the NOC maximum of three per individual event and two per doubles event. [1]

Neutral athletes

On 31 October 2025 the CAS ruled that Russian athletes who satisfied the IOC's rules for neutral status should be allowed to qualify to the Olympics. However, the ruling carried nothing binding that required the FIL to include neutrals in their competitions. [2]

Olympic Qualification ranking events

The following five stages of the 2025–26 Luge World Cup and one Olympic test event, count towards the Olympic Qualification ranking list. [3] Originally 'stage 1' was to have been at Innsbruck on 4-7 December 2025, but track reconstruction forced changes to the world cup schedule and the FIL chose to include the Olympic test event rather than have two out of five qualifying races in Winterberg. [4]

Quota allocation

Current summary

Men

singles
Sleds qualifiedCountriesAthletes totalNation
339
248
188
251525
    doubles
    Sleds qualifiedCountriesAthletes totalNation
    2312
    11122
    171444

      Women

      singles
      Sleds qualifiedCountriesAthletes totalNation
      339
      248
      188
      251525
        doubles
        Sleds qualifiedCountriesAthletes totalNation
        11122
        111122

          References

          1. 1 2 3 "How team Canada can qualify for Milano Cortina 2026". Olympics.ca. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
          2. "Russian athletes get legal win ahead of Olympics in luge appeal case". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
          3. "Qualification Systems for XXV Olympic Winter Games, Milano Cortina 2026" (PDF). FIL luge.com. 13 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
          4. "Olympic Test Event in Cortina upgraded: First qualifying race for Milano Cortina 2026 confirmed – World Cup opener moved to Winterberg". fil-luge.org. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.