Olympics Games 2026 Opening Ceremony: a celebration of Olympic values shared by all.

Under the theme of Harmony, the XXV Olympic Winter Games linked Milano’s San Siro Stadium in real time with other regions hosting this grand sporting event.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony represented a significant milestone: for the first time in Olympic history, the Ceremony was designed as a distributed experience, uniting Milano, Cortina, Livigno, Predazzo, and Antholz/Anterselva into a cohesive narrative presented in real time.

The creative theme, named "Harmony", symbolized the ability to unite diverse elements and allow them to coexist: Milano and Cortina, urban life and nature, humanity and the environment.

In accordance with sustainability principles and to reduce travel, athletes were not assembled in Milano but instead paraded in the four venues nearest to their respective Olympic Villages: Milano (San Siro Stadium), Cortina d’Ampezzo (Piazza Angelo Dibona), Livigno, and Predazzo.

Throughout the evening, there were alternating performances by artists and entertainers, highlighted by memorable moments: from Mariah Carey performing Nel Blu, dipinto di Blu by Domenico Modugno, followed by one of her most famous songs, Nothing Is Impossible, to performances by Matilda De Angelis and Pierfrancesco Favino, along with live segments hosted by Sabrina Impacciatore, Ghali, and Charlize Theron. The latter were central to the segment focused on the Olympic Truce and the contemplation of peace over war.

Here are some unforgettable moments to cherish.

1. The National Anthem and the grasp of the Tricolour

The moment: the institutional protocol unfolded simultaneously in Milano and Cortina. Laura Pausini performed the National Anthem at San Siro Stadium, joined by a moving Mountain Choir in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Top model Vittoria Ceretti, who walked alongside a group of models showcasing designs by Giorgio Armani, was selected to represent the city’s modern creative essence and carried the National Flag to the protocol stage, where it was handed over to the Corazzieri Corps.

Meanwhile in Cortina, a team of flag bearers symbolizing Italy’s sporting heritage — Fulvio Valbusa, Giorgio Di Centa, Pietro Piller Cottrer, and Cristian Zorzi — executed the same gesture, presenting the Italian Flag to the Carabinieri Corps.

2. The Parade of Athletes: one single parade across the territories

The moment: marking a historic first in the Olympics, the Parade of Athletes occurred as a distributed event, linking Milan (San Siro), Livigno (Snowboard Park), Predazzo (Ski Jumping Stadium), and Cortina (city centre) simultaneously. The 92 delegations, led by Greece and concluding with Italy, paraded at venues nearest to their competition sites, transforming Italy’s landscape into a unified stage.

Italy made a significant decision to symbolize national unity by appointing four flag bearers: two in Milan, Arianna Fontana and Federico Pellegrino, and two in Cortina, Federica Brignone and Amos Mosaner.

3. A journey through time: from Munari’s gestures to great history

The moment: an artistic segment celebrating 100 years of the Olympic Winter Games, featuring a performance by Brenda Lodigiani that highlighted the Italian language of gestures, inspired by the work of Bruno Munari.

Speeches and protocol

Giovanni Malagò (President of the Organising Committee):
“Tonight, Italy opens its arms to the world,” Malagò stated, reflecting on the previous Games hosted by our nation. “We are prepared to make Olympic history.

Kirsty Coventry (President of the International Olympic Committee):

"You did it — take pride in how far you've come. Now, give it your all, have fun, and cherish every moment. You will provide us with something extraordinary, you will inspire us, and you will demonstrate that strength is not just about winning, but also about bravery, compassion, and heart. You will show us how to rise again, regardless of how hard we fall."

Sergio Mattarella (President of the Italian Republic):

From the official grandstand, Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, proclaimed the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games officially open.

4. The Olympic Torch Relay: a collective journey

The moment: a visual story of the Torch Relay was displayed on the screens, illustrating the Flame’s journey from Olympia through Italy’s beautiful landscapes, culminating in a unification of Milano, Cortina, and all the Games venues.

Inside San Siro Stadium, the “Essential” Torch took the spotlight in a meaningful relay: initially carried by a pair of torchbearers, it was then passed to two successive groups of three Italian athletes for their exit from the stadium, accompanied by a performance from Andrea Bocelli.

5. The Olympic Flag a ground between generations and homes

The moment: the Olympic Flag made its grand entrance, following the event's distributed logic. Carried by ten sporting legends and prominent figures (eight in Milano and two in Cortina), the Flag adorned with the Five Rings traversed the significant locations of the Ceremony. In Milan, the Flag was accompanied by a joint inter-service honour guard, while in Cortina, it was greeted by the Alpine choir, highlighting the unbreakable connection between Olympic values and the identity of the host territory.

6. Lighting of the Cauldrons

The moment: the last three torchbearers — Olympic alpine skiing champions Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni — simultaneously ignited the Cauldron at the Arco della Pace in Milan, while Olympic alpine skiing champion Sofia Goggia lit the Cauldron in Piazza Angelo Dibona in Cortina.

In this manner, the Olympic Flame brought together Milan's cityscape with the grandeur of the Dolomites, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.