Milan Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 2026: Start time, schedule and what to expect

Pack your heaviest coat, put your thickest scarf on and dig out your Moon Boots: the Winter Olympics are almost here.

Next month, the Milano Cortina 2026 Games will kick off in Milan with a grand show at San Siro Stadium titled Armonia – Harmony. Full details have yet to be revealed (Olympic opening ceremonies are usually shrouded in secrecy, to keep audiences on the edge of their seats), but one thing is certain: it’s going to be a fun, star-studded affair, just like Olympic celebrations tend to be. 

Here’s all we know so far, from the theme concept to the few confirmed appearances we’re already excited about – and yes, that includes Mariah Carey.

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Where is the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?

The opening bash of the Winter Games will take place at San Siro Stadium in Milan, home to two legendary Italian football clubs: AC Milan and Inter Milan. Often dubbed the ‘temple of football’, the iconic venue – and a striking example of brutalist architecture, if you’re into that – will serve as the backdrop for a show that promises to celebrate Italy and all its talents.

According to a recent press release, the ceremony will weave together ‘imagination and beauty, Leonardo da Vinci and the great inventors, Italian design and taste, music and elegance’. We can’t quite visualise that yet, but with its dramatic spiral concrete ramps and towering cylindrical structures, San Siro is more than capable of setting an epic tone for the night.

When is the ceremony and what time does it start?

Mark your calendars: the opening ceremony is on Friday February 6 at 8pm CET.

If you’re lucky enough to be there in person, plan to arrive early – security checks and queues are bound to be long.

What to expect

As previously mentioned, the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic opening ceremony will revolve around a deeply human – and hopeful – concept: harmony. Under the creative direction of Marco Balich – the mind behind other major sporting spectacles, from the opening ceremony of the 2019 Pan American Games to the closing show of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – the event aims to deliver a message of unity, peace and sustainability. Expect a sweeping narrative that brings together nature and technology, art and design, Italian heritage and visions of the future.

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In a first for an Olympic opening ceremony, the show has also been conceived to allow all athletes to take part in a shared experience across Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. The idea reflects the multi-centred model of these Winter Games – the first to be staged across multiple host locations.

Who is performing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic opening ceremony?

Bringing it all to life will be a cast of Italian and international performers. Mariah Carey was the first major performer announced for the ceremony, and joining her is legendary Italian singer Laura Pausini, alongside actresses Matilde De Angelis (The Law According to Lydia Poet), Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus), and actor Pierfrancesco Favino, one of the most acclaimed Italian performers of his generation.

How to watch

Not attending in person? No problem. In Italy, the Winter Games opening ceremony will be livestreamed on RAI, the country’s public broadcaster. If you’re in Milan for the occasion, however, ditch the TV and head to one of the Fan Zones and Live Sites set up across the city for public viewing.

In the US, tune in to NBC, while viewers in the UK will be able to catch the action on the BBC.

How to get tickets

If you’re planning to see the spectacle live, know that tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony don’t come cheap. Prices currently range from around €260 to over €2000, depending on seat category. Standard tickets start at roughly €700, while the most in-demand spots can cost €2026 or more. Premium hospitality packages are also available, if you’re feeling especially fancy.

Single tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are sold exclusively through the official ticketing portal, and a fresh batch has just been released – so if you’re keen, now’s the time to act. One thing to note: all tickets are digital, so there’s no need to worry about collecting anything on the day.

Read Time Out’s complete guide to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026.

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