Milan’s San Siro and several satellite sites kicked off the Winter Olympics with a mix of pageantry, music and surprising moments. Reporters in the stands watched a three-and-a-half-hour show that brought together 92 countries, about 1,400 costumes and a few unexpected highlights — from a dancing stovetop espresso maker to world-class singers.
1) Seeing the show in person reveals the backstage ballet
In the stadium you notice the production machinery television doesn’t: cameras whirring on cable rigs overhead, performers waiting in wings, volunteers hauling props and even helping with performers’ outfits. DJ Mace was a live presence off-camera, constantly moving and grooving between segments, and small production touches were always in view.
2) Fans still needed the big screens
Because many segments — including parts of the Parade of Nations — took place at the satellite venues (Livigno, Predazzo and Cortina d’Ampezzo), Milan relied on six large screens. Those displays carried live feeds, pre-recorded pieces and on-screen IDs for flag and torch bearers, so spectators had to split their attention between the stage and the TVs to follow everything.
3) It was noticeably cold
The stadium’s partially open roof and hours on plastic seats made temperatures in the low 40s feel much colder. Athletes and attendees came bundled in jackets, hats and gloves. Many competitors sat in reserved seats for large stretches of the show, so staying warm was clearly a priority for everyone, including the press.
4) Italy’s cultural icons dominated the design
The ceremony leaned heavily into national imagery: opera characters with foam heads, Roman busts, a Cupid and Psyche, runway models in the colors of the Italian flag paying homage to Giorgio Armani, a Mona Lisa tableau, chefs, and performers styled as architectural monuments like the Colosseum and Brunelleschi’s dome. And yes — a whimsical, dancing stovetop coffee maker made an appearance.
5) International performers left an impression
Andrea Bocelli carried the Olympic torch into the arena with his signature tenor, and Laura Pausini sang the Italian national anthem. Mariah Carey made a brief but memorable appearance in sequins and fur, switching into some Italian lyrics and hitting the high notes that drew big cheers. The lineup mixed global stars with distinctly Italian moments.
6) Politics stayed mostly off center stage
Organizers kept political themes largely subdued. The crowd’s reactions varied: warm applause greeted some teams, while Vice President JD Vance’s on-screen appearance drew boos in places. Ukraine received visible support from the stands, and Israel was met with jeers in some sections. Speeches by Olympic officials emphasized unity without naming specific conflicts.
7) Athletes looked energized and joyful
Unlike the quieter Tokyo and Beijing ceremonies affected by the pandemic, athletes arrived visibly excited to perform for live audiences. There were playful, athletic displays — a Brazilian backflip in the snow, Austria’s flag carried on a teammate’s shoulders — and stylish national uniforms, such as Czechia’s patterned outfits and Greece’s synchronized dance. A recurring visual was the women guiding each delegation in shiny silver puffer-coat gowns and oversized sunglasses.
8) The crowd had clear favorites
Certain moments landed biggest in the stands: fireworks erupting from the Olympic rings, the Italian team’s entrance, and Bocelli’s sustained notes triggered the loudest reactions, even from the upper tiers.
For more on-the-ground updates and behind-the-scenes reporting, NPR circulated a newsletter with additional dispatches from reporters covering the Games.