The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 officially got underway with a spectacular Opening Ceremony that celebrated Italy’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes and enduring Olympic spirit. Hundreds of athletes from around the world were welcomed by thousands of fans at San Siro Stadium in Milan, while simultaneous celebrations unfolded across Cortina, Livigno and the surrounding mountain towns, creating the most geographically expansive Opening Ceremony in Olympic history.

Built around the theme “Armonia” (Harmony), the ceremony paid tribute to the contrast between the beauty of Italy’s snow-covered mountains and the vibrant energy of Milan. Throughout the evening, music, dance and storytelling took centre stage as global stars including Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Sabrina Impacciatore delivered unforgettable performances, while actress Charlize Theron surprised the audience with a heartfelt message of peace.

The celebrations reached an emotional finale as, for the first time in Olympic history, two Olympic cauldrons were lit simultaneously—one at Arco della Pace in Milan and another in Piazza Dibona in Cortina—symbolizing the unity of the host cities and officially opening the Winter Games.

From breathtaking performances and the Parade of Nations to the lighting of the Olympic flame and unforgettable athlete moments, here are the biggest highlights from the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony.

Every Olympic Opening Ceremony is built around a central idea, and for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, that idea was “Armonia,” the Italian and Greek word for harmony. Rather than serving as a simple title, Armonia became the thread that connected every performance, visual display and artistic moment throughout the evening, reflecting Italy’s vision of bringing together people, places and cultures through the shared language of sport. It was a fitting choice for a ceremony designed to celebrate not only athletic excellence, but also the values that have defined the Olympic Movement for generations.

The choice of Armonia held even greater significance because Milano Cortina 2026 is the first Winter Olympics to be shared among multiple host communities. Instead of focusing on a single city, the Games unite Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, creating an Olympic experience that stretches from vibrant city streets to the breathtaking peaks of the Italian Alps. That balance between urban life and the natural world became one of the ceremony’s defining themes, celebrating the connection between innovation and tradition and the importance of living in harmony with the landscapes that enable winter sports.

As Creative Lead, Marco Balich explained, “It means ‘bringing together’ in musical terms, different elements. Because there are two cities, Milan and Cortina, city and mountain, the harmony between man and nature, between cultures, people and different ways of thinking… it is very meaningful and beautiful.”

That same vision extended far beyond Italy’s borders. At a time when much of the world continues to face division and uncertainty, the Opening Ceremony presented Armonia as a message of peace, welcoming athletes from every nation into a shared celebration built on friendship, respect and excellence. Rather than following tradition, Milano Cortina embraced a new way of hosting the Olympic Games, with ceremonies and symbolic moments unfolding across multiple locations while remaining connected through one common purpose.

As the Organizing Committee’s Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies Director, Maria Laura Iascone, proudly said, “We are charting a new course. As Italians, we are innovators of a new spirit of Ceremonies. We will tell the world what we can do, our ability to create beauty and excitement.” By the time the ceremony came to a close, Armonia had become much more than the evening’s theme—it had become a reflection of the Olympic spirit itself, proving that even across different cities, cultures and landscapes, the Games can begin as one.

The honour of opening the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony belonged to none other than Mariah Carey, who kicked off the evening with a performance that immediately set the tone for the celebrations ahead. Taking to the stage at San Siro Stadium before thousands of spectators and a global television audience, the Grammy Award-winning singer dazzled in a dramatic white gown embellished with shimmering silver jewels, a feathered shawl and sparkling diamond accessories. She opened with the beloved Italian classic “Volare,” known locally as “Nel blu, dipinto di blu,” before performing her latest single, “Nothing Is Impossible,” setting the stage for an evening centred on music, culture, and the Olympic spirit.

Carey’s appearance had been announced weeks earlier in a video message shared with fans, where she said, “Ciao. Get ready for Milano Cortina 2026. See you at the Stadium San Siro on the 6th of February for the Olympic opening ceremony. Ci vediamo a Milano.” Explaining why she was chosen to open the Games, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee said Carey “fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games,” adding that “Music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities, and intertwines with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.” It proved to be a fitting choice, as her performance welcomed athletes and fans from around the world while perfectly introducing the evening’s message of “Armonia.”

Not all the memorable moments at the Opening Ceremony came from music or dance. Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron captured the audience’s attention with a heartfelt call for peace, sharing words from her “beloved countryman,” the late Nelson Mandela. Her speech reflected the ceremony’s themes of unity, respect, and hope. As South Africa’s representative, Theron gave everyone at San Siro Stadium and viewers around the world a moment to reflect on what the Olympic Games stand for beyond sport.

Theron quoted Mandela, telling the audience, “Peace is not just the absence of conflict. Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference.” She added, “Today, this message seems more relevant than ever. So let these Games be more than just sport. Let them be a reminder of our common humanity and our respect for one another, and a resounding call for peace everywhere.” The audience responded with warm applause. Her words captured the spirit of “Armonia” and reminded everyone that, while athletes compete for medals, the Olympic Games begin with a shared commitment to friendship, respect, and bringing people from all backgrounds together.

As the Opening Ceremony neared its end, Andrea Bocelli, one of Italy’s most famous singers, returned to the Olympic stage. In front of more than 77,000 people at San Siro Stadium, Bocelli celebrated 20 years since his memorable performance at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, where he closed the Games with “Because We Believe.” Now, at 67, his appearance at Milano Cortina 2026 brought his Olympic journey full circle. Just before the Olympic cauldron was lit, Bocelli moved the audience with a powerful version of “Nessun Dorma,” the well-known aria from Puccini’s Turandot, a song closely tied to his career after the death of his mentor, Luciano Pavarotti.

As Bocelli’s voice filled the stadium, the Olympic torch made its way through several torchbearers on its final journey. Italian football legends Giuseppe Bergomi and Franco Baresi, both key figures in AC Milan and Italian football, were among those who carried the flame. Their involvement brought even more national pride to the emotional ending. Bocelli’s performance set the mood as everyone waited for one of the ceremony’s most important moments — the lighting of the Olympic cauldron and the official start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

‘The White Lotus’ star Sabrina Impacciatore brought a burst of energy to the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony with “Time Travel,” a vibrant song-and-dance performance celebrating 100 years of the Winter Olympic Games. Beginning with an animated sequence, the performance transitioned to a live stage production, taking spectators on a journey through each decade, from the 1920s to the 1990s, with colourful visuals, imaginative costumes, rhythmic choreography, and larger-than-life set pieces. Best known to international audiences for her role in HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’, Impacciatore helped transform the Olympic ceremony into one of its most creative and visually striking performances.

Italian actress Matilda De Angelis played one of the Opening Ceremony’s most distinctive roles, stepping onto the stage as the composer behind “Armonia,” the artistic vision that guided the Milano Cortina 2026 celebrations. Dressed in an elegant black-and-white gown and conducting with a baton in hand, De Angelis watched as 70 performers from the Accademia Teatro alla Scala transformed San Siro Stadium into a living work of art. Inspired by the work of renowned Italian architect and Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova, the performance saw statues come to life through music, movement and dance, offering one of the evening’s most visually captivating moments.

While international audiences may recognize De Angelis from acclaimed productions including The Undoing and The Law According to Lidia Poët, the Opening Ceremony offered a different side of the Italian actress as she helped introduce the world to the ceremony’s message of harmony. Reflecting on her passion for the arts in a previous interview, De Angelis once said, “I’m an actress, I feel like an actress, I want to be an actress, and I want to do what I do well.” That passion was evident throughout her performance, which blended elegance, creativity and Italian artistry into a memorable celebration that perfectly captured the spirit of Milano Cortina 2026.

Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti was entrusted with one of the Opening Ceremony’s most symbolic moments, proudly carrying the Italian flag across the stage before presenting it to Italian President Sergio Mattarella. While many international viewers know Ceretti as Leonardo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, the 27-year-old has built an acclaimed career of her own as one of Italy’s leading fashion models. Leading a group of women in shimmering red, white and green suits inspired by the colours of the Italian Tricolore, Ceretti helped set the stage for Laura Pausini’s performance of the Italian national anthem. The striking outfits were designed by the legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September, and were part of a wider wardrobe collection he created for the Opening Ceremony, including costumes worn by performers and the official outfits for Italy’s Olympic team.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony wasn’t just a celebration of sport—it was a celebration of everything that makes Italy one of the world’s most recognizable countries. After opening with a striking scene of performers dressed as ancient white marble statues, the atmosphere quickly shifted as enormous paint tubes descended from the rafters, releasing vibrant streams of colour across San Siro Stadium. Moments later, performers dressed in brilliant shades of yellow, blue, green and red filled the stage, transforming the ceremony into a joyful tribute to Italian imagination, creativity and national pride.

The colourful spectacle brought some of Italy’s most beloved symbols to life, with giant moka pots, pizza chefs, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and other iconic creations making memorable appearances throughout the performance. It was, as Eurosport commentators described, “a grand parade of characters inspired by symbolic categories of Italian imagination and creativity — Ancient Rome, cuisine, fashion, literature, the Renaissance, architecture, design and the Venice Carnival as well.” Together, the performances celebrated the traditions, inventions and cultural treasures that have shaped Italy’s identity and earned its place on the world stage.

The vibrant display also reflected the ceremony’s central theme of “Armonia,” which organizers described as a deeply Italian value carrying a universal message of peace, unity and dialogue. Explaining the vision behind the production, Creative Lead Marco Balich said, “It is about people, emotion and humanity. In a complex world, we want to offer a message of harmony, beauty and peace that can be understood by everyone.” Through music, colour and storytelling, the ceremony became more than a showcase of Italian culture—it became an invitation for the world to experience the warmth, creativity and spirit that define the host nation.

More than anything, the performance showed that Italy wasn’t simply introducing the Olympic Games—it was introducing itself. Every scene, from the celebration of food and fashion to tributes to art, architecture and centuries of tradition, reflected a country proud of its heritage while embracing the future. It was a fitting reminder that some of Italy’s greatest contributions to the world extend well beyond sport, making the Opening Ceremony as much a celebration of the nation itself as the beginning of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The Parade of Nations is always a highlight of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, and Milano Cortina 2026 kept this tradition alive. Athletes from all over the world marched into San Siro Stadium, greeted by cheers from fans excited for the start of the Winter Olympics. For newcomers, it was the reward for years of dedication, while returning Olympians enjoyed the chance to represent their countries again on a global stage. The parade also showcased each country’s unique style, with uniforms from brands like Ralph Lauren for Team USA, Lululemon for Team Canada, Moncler for Team Brazil, and Giorgio Armani for Team Italy, which created Italy’s elegant outfits.

Following Olympic tradition, Greece entered first as the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, while Italy received a thunderous ovation as the host nation entered last. Between those unforgettable moments, thousands of athletes proudly waved their national flags, shared smiles with teammates and soaked in an atmosphere unlike any other. It was a celebration that perfectly reflected the spirit of “Armonia,” bringing together different cultures, languages and traditions in one unforgettable parade before the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 officially got underway.

The closing moments of the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony marked a historic first for the Olympic Winter Games, as the Olympic flame completed its journey through Italy after more than two months travelling from Olympia, Greece, to the host nation. As anticipation peaked, the torch made its final journey through a series of celebrated Italian sporting icons, including football legends Giuseppe Bergomi and Franco Baresi, while Andrea Bocelli’s stirring performance of “Nessun Dorma” provided the emotional soundtrack to one of the ceremony’s defining moments. With millions watching around the world, everything was in place for the official start of the Winter Games.

History was made as, for the first time in Olympic history, the flame’s journey ended in two cities rather than one. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Olympic champion Gustav Thöni, who won alpine skiing gold at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, handed the torch to Sofia Goggia, Italy’s downhill gold medallist from PyeongChang 2018, who lit the cauldron in Piazza Dibona. At the same time in Milan, beneath the iconic Arco della Pace, Italian alpine skiing legends Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba, who each won three Olympic gold medals in the late 1980s and early 1990s, ignited the second cauldron. The simultaneous lighting reflected the unique identity of Milano Cortina 2026, bringing together two host cities, one Olympic dream.

Now that the Opening Ceremony is over and the Olympic flame is burning in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, everyone is focused on the competitions happening over the next two weeks. More than 2,900 athletes from around the world will compete in 16 Olympic sports, aiming to win medals in events such as alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, biathlon, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding. For some athletes, these Games are the result of many years of hard work, while for others, Milano Cortina 2026 might be the beginning of an unforgettable Olympic journey.

After an unforgettable night of music, culture, and celebration, the stage is ready for moments that will be remembered for years to come. New champions will be named, records will be tested, and stories of victory, loss, and strength will happen on snow and ice across Italy. If the Opening Ceremony showed us anything, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will be an unforgettable celebration of sport, bringing together athletes and fans from around the world in pursuit of one shared dream—Olympic glory.