Global music icons Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey are set to provide the soundtrack for the opening of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, organisers confirmed on Sunday 11 January 2026. The spectacular opening ceremony will take place on 6 February 2026 at Milan's iconic San Siro football stadium, promising a three-hour spectacle for a live crowd of 60,000 and a global television audience of millions.
A Ceremony Across Italy's Landscapes
Reflecting the uniquely dispersed nature of the 2026 Games, the opening event will not be confined to a single venue. While the central action, including the Parade of Athletes, unfolds at San Siro, key moments will be broadcast from three other Olympic hubs. Audiences will see live segments from Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites, Livigno in the Italian Alps, and Predazzo in Trentino. This innovative format ensures athletes from all far-flung competition sites can participate in the ceremony.
The production is led by veteran Olympic ceremony producer Marco Balich, who has over a dozen such events to his credit. Organisers stated that Bocelli's performance "will constitute one of the most iconic moments of the event, uniting the spectacle with the essence of Olympic values", adding that his inclusion brings a "contemporary and global tone" to the narrative.
Star-Studded Performances and Tributes
The announcement of Andrea Bocelli adds classical and crossover prestige to a line-up that already includes pop superstar Mariah Carey, the first international artist confirmed for the San Siro show. Carey announced her participation on Instagram with the message "Ci vediamo a Milano" (See you in Milan).
Bocelli, a tenor renowned for blending classical and popular music, will perform at the Olympics during a break from his world tour. His official schedule shows he departs immediately afterwards for a concert in Columbus, Ohio, on 7 February. His illustrious career includes performances for the coronation of King Charles III and the 75th anniversary of the Italian Constitution.
The ceremony will also feature a poignant tribute to the late Italian fashion legend Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September 2025 aged 91. Armani's legacy is deeply intertwined with Italian sport and Milan, having long designed the Italian Olympic team's uniforms and leaving a lasting mark on the city through his theatre, museum, and basketball team sponsorship.
Italian Talent Takes Centre Stage
Further elevating the home-grown talent on display, Italian actors Sabrina Impacciatore (HBO's The White Lotus) and Matilde De Angelis (Netflix's The Law According to Lidia Poët) have also been confirmed as participants in the opening ceremony.
Looking ahead to the conclusion of the Games, organisers have revealed that internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony. That event is scheduled for 22 February 2026 at Verona's ancient Roman Arena, providing a historic and cultural bookend to the Winter Olympics.
With a blend of international superstardom, celebrated Italian artistry, and a groundbreaking multi-location format, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is poised to be a uniquely memorable start to the Games.
