The 2026 Winter Olympics are the 25th, or XXV, Winter Games and are taking place in two 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.
The Ceremony marks the start of one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events. Fans around the world will be watching as more than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries parade into the stadium and the Olympic flames are lit.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, including the confirmed date and start time, as well as details on what to expect from the opening night of the Winter Games.
When is the Opening Ceremony?
The opening ceremony time for the 2026 Winter Olympics is Friday, February 6, held at the historic San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.
Live coverage for the ceremony begins at approximately 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT), according to NBC’s official Olympics schedule.
The ceremony is expected to run approximately three hours, concluding around 5 p.m. ET.
How is the Opening Ceremony Structured?
GettyWhile 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.
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.
