Inside the Hidden World of Olympic Pin Trading

While athletes chase gold on the ice and snow of Milan Cortina, a parallel competition is unfolding across the city: Olympic pin trading.
What began decades ago as a simple exchange between athletes and officials has evolved into a passionate global subculture, with collectors traveling from Games to Games to hunt for rare badges.
At the official pin trading center, enthusiasts like Eddie Schnider display their collections across hats and vests, trading everything except the most prized pins pinned near their hearts.
The most coveted items feature both the Milan Cortina 2026 logo and Olympic rings, which only the licensed manufacturer can produce.
Outside, a daily ritual unfolds: each morning, collectors gather at secret locations revealed on Instagram to chase just 250 limited-edition ‘YesMilano’ pins.
For many, the pursuit has become a daily routine, forming friendships and rivalries that last the entire Games. This is the other Olympics—small, metal, and fiercely addictive.