The 2026 Winter Olympics are the 25th, or XXV, Winter Games and are taking place in two stunning cities in northern Italy: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Although the Olympics are already underway, the Milan Cortina Games officially kick off on Friday, February 6 with the Opening Ceremony, where several beloved artists will take the stage to celebrate this iconic global event.
The Ceremony signals the start of one of the world’s most anticipated sporting spectacles. Fans everywhere will tune in for the Parade of Nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldrons, hallmark moments of Olympic tradition.
Festivities will fill both host cities, with Milan’s historic San Siro Stadium at the heart of the celebrations. Keep reading to see the full lineup of performers confirmed for the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Who Will Be Performing at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
GettyThe Opening Ceremony will be a dazzling celebration of light, color, tradition, art, and culture to celebrate the Italian spirit in the best possible way. This will be accompanied by star-studded performances by artists such as five-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Mariah Carey, renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, Golden Globe winner Laura Pausini, award-winning actor Pierfrancesco Favino, and “The White Lotus” star Sabrina Impacciatore, according to the official Olympics website. Italian rapper Ghali, Chinese piano prodigy Lang Lang, and Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli will also be performing.
The Creative Lead of the Opening Ceremony, Marco Balich, revealed that Carey will even “sing in Italian.”
How is the Opening Ceremony Structured?
While many details of the Opening Ceremony have been kept under wraps, it will include a Parade of Athletes along Corso Italia, with each country represented by one Flagbearer. Host nation Italy will be the exception, with two Flagbearers: Olympic Alpine skiing medallist Federica Brignone and Olympic curling champion Amos Mosaner, according to the official Olympics website. The other key moment of the Ceremony will be the lighting of the cauldrons.
Who Will Light the Final Torch?
GettyThe identity of the final torchbearer is one of the most closely guarded secrets of the opening ceremony. This year’s Olympic torch started its journey in Greece with rower Petros Gkaidatzis as the first torchbearer, before traveling across Italy and reaching Milan. For the Italian leg of the journey, the torch bearers included Italian President Sergio Mattarella and stars of the hit series “Heated Rivalry” Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Discussions of potential candidates include champion Alpine Skier Alberto Tomba or Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, according to Forbes.
For the first time, this year’s lighting ceremony will include two Olympic cauldrons.
What Makes This Year’s Opening Ceremony Different?
GettyFor the first time in Olympic history, two separate, synchronized cauldrons will burn: one will be located in Milano, at the Arco della Pace, an iconic landmark of the city, and the other will be in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Piazza Dibona, the beating heart of the mountain town, according to the official Olympics website.
Milan Cortina 2026 will be the first edition of the Winter Games with a multi-centered model. The Ceremony will also reflect this vision. All athletes will be able to participate in a shared experience between Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme.
The artistic team behind the Opening Ceremony chose the theme “Armonia” (harmony in Italian) for Milan Cortina, bringing together the idea of a universal, emotional journey with visual storytelling. The theme is a tribute to Italian values, history and culture and it’s deep connection with the Olympic spirit.
