February 6, 2026
The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and surrounding host towns closed a long night of spectacle and officially launched the Games. Spread across multiple locations — Milan’s San Siro plus Cortina, Livigno, Predazzo and other venues — the production ran longer than scheduled but delivered fashion, music, dance, comedy and, for the first time in Olympic history, two separate Olympic flames.
Before the festivities began, streets around Milan saw protests over several issues: the presence of U.S. ICE agents, rising rents, environmental concerns tied to construction projects, and calls to bar certain nations. Still, outside San Siro much of the crowd was celebratory, with many locals visibly proud to host the Games.
The ceremony opened with the San Siro bathed in red and film sequences celebrating Italy’s past and present — from ancient Rome to the Renaissance. Classical ballet and ensemble dance mixed with contemporary beats. Milan’s fashion identity was threaded through the show: runway-style choreography, photographers onstage and a tribute to designer Giorgio Armani, who died in 2025. Visual vignettes referenced opera, Pinocchio, Italian kitchens and moka pots; oversized paint tubes spilled color across the stage, three performers wore giant heads of famous Italian composers, and tableaux evoked everyday Italian life.
Pop and operatic stars provided major musical moments. Mariah Carey, wearing a sparkling white gown, sang a bilingual rendition of “Nothing Is Impossible,” switching between Italian and English to warm applause. Andrea Bocelli moved many with a performance of “Nessun dorma,” and Chinese pianist Lang Lang played the Olympic anthem as the flag was hoisted. Unexpected celebrity appearances, including a surprise peace message from Charlize Theron quoting Nelson Mandela, punctuated the program.
The Olympic rings were revealed and lit in gold, then video tours highlighted the dispersed venues: Predazzo, Cortina, Tesero, Antholz, Bormio, Livigno and Milano. The parade of nations began, but the Games’ multi-venue format made for an unusual procession. Teams were split across cities, and live camera cuts between locations sometimes left stadium viewers looking at name cards with few or no athletes behind them. The effect felt fragmented compared with a traditional single-stadium march.
Still, there were memorable entries. Brazil’s delegation arrived in upbeat Moncler outfits; Canada entered with a large contingent; Ukraine and the Italian host delegation received warm receptions. Smaller teams had standout moments: Mexico featured the first mother-and-son Winter Olympic pairing, 46-year-old Sarah Schleper and her 17-year-old son Lasse Gaxiola, both competing in alpine skiing. Jamaica and other smaller nations injected color and energy. Germany’s parade included NHL star Leon Draisaitl among its flagbearers. The U.S. team drew big cheers, though a broadcast shot of U.S. Vice President JD Vance on the stadium screen prompted audible boos.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella was greeted with applause, followed by the Armani tribute and the national anthem performed amid a formal flag-raising. Organizing committee head Giovanni Malagò praised Italy’s hosting, highlighted the gender balance of these Games and thanked volunteers while urging unity. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the IOC’s first woman president, addressed athletes with a call to celebrate what unites humanity, invoking the spirit of ubuntu and stressing courage, empathy and heart. Charlize Theron’s pre-recorded address called for the Games to stand for something beyond competition.
Several oaths and ceremonial duties were performed across locations. Athletes in Cortina read the Olympic oath. The Olympic flag was carried by notable sports figures who have inspired many, including Rebeca Andrade and Eliud Kipchoge. The broadcast frequently switched between Milan, Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo, a challenging logistical achievement for organizers and networks.
In a historic finish, two Olympic flames were lit: in Milan, skiing legends Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni carried the flame into place, while in Cortina Sofia Goggia lit the separate cauldron there. Fireworks over Milan and celebrations in Cortina marked the culmination of the ceremonies.
Reaction to the split format was mixed. The multi-venue model showcased the geographic sweep of the Winter Games and allowed host towns to play starring roles, but it also produced an uneven parade experience and visible gaps in the stadium. Many commentators said the pageantry, music and fashion-forward visuals helped salvage the narrative, even when pacing lagged.
What’s next: with the opening ceremony complete, competition begins in earnest. Saturday’s schedule includes several medal events such as the men’s downhill, women’s speed skating and men’s snowboard big air. Sunday brings more finals, including the biathlon mixed relay, men’s luge and team figure skating. Over the next 19 days storylines to watch include Chloe Kim’s snowboarding campaign, Lindsey Vonn’s return, youthful contenders such as 15-year-old Abby Winterberger, veteran competitors like 52-year-old Claudia Riegler, and ski mountaineering making its Olympic debut.
Despite its length and occasional unevenness, the ceremony produced striking moments: powerful vocal performances, bold fashion and visual design, a repeated message of unity and the unprecedented spectacle of twin Olympic flames. With the Games now officially open, athletes and fans turn their attention to the competitions ahead.