MILAN, Italy — The wait is over. The XXV Olympic Winter Games have officially begun! In a stunning departure from tradition, the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony is currently unfolding across northern Italy, bridging the gap between Milan’s metropolitan energy and the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites.
A Ceremony Like No Other
For the first time in Olympic history, the celebration is not contained within a single stadium. While the main show is being staged at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, parallel celebrations and athlete parades are taking place in:
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Livigno
Predazzo
The theme of the night, "Armonia" (Harmony), reflects this unique "widespread" Games approach, designed to keep athletes closer to their competition venues.
Star-Studded Performances
The San Siro has been transformed into a theatrical masterpiece, featuring a lineup of global icons. Performances scheduled for tonight include:
Mariah Carey (the "Queen of Christmas" taking on the winter stage)
Italian legend Andrea Bocelli
Grammy-winner Laura Pausini
Special appearances by The White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore.
Two Cauldrons, One Flame
In another Olympic first, two Olympic cauldrons will be lit tonight—one at Milan’s Arco della Pace and the other in the heart of Cortina d’Ampezzo—symbolizing the unity between the urban and mountain hubs.
What’s Next?
While the ceremony marks the official start, competition is already underway. The first gold medals will be awarded tomorrow, February 7, in the Men’s Downhill (Bormio) and Women’s 3000m Speed Skating.
"Italy has invited the world not just to a city, but to an entire region. This is the future of the Winter Games." — Olympic Committee Representative
