Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, officially welcomed the world on Friday, February 6, 2026, as the XXV Olympic Winter Games commenced with a unique, multi-site opening ceremony. Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the Games open at 10:51 PM local time, marking a historic moment for the nation and the Olympic movement.
The ceremony wasn’t confined to a single location, a first in Olympic history. While the main event unfolded at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, a parallel celebration took place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the renowned mountain resort. Further festivities were held at the ski jumping hills in Predazzo and in Livigno, allowing for greater participation from athletes as the Games are spread across a wider geographical area than ever before.
The opening proceedings were steeped in Italian culture, beginning with a ballet performance by students from the La Scala opera house. A sculpture of Amor and Psyche, created by Antonio Canova, was prominently displayed at San Siro. Musical selections included excerpts from operas by Giuseppe Verdi, Gioachino Rossini, and Giacomo Puccini, setting a distinctly Italian tone for the evening.
A highlight of the ceremony was the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a symbolic moment entrusted to two Italian skiing legends: Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni. They ignited the flame in Milan, near the Arco della Pace, close to the San Siro stadium. Simultaneously, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, current Italian downhill skier Sofia Goggia lit a second cauldron on Piazza Dibona.
The theme of harmony resonated throughout the ceremony, emphasizing the connection between the bustling city of Milan and the alpine beauty of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The program aimed to showcase Italy’s creativity, passion, and strong cultural identity.
A symbolic arrival of President Mattarella at San Siro was staged using a “historic” tram, accompanied by motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi. Model Vittoria Cerreti, adorned in an Armani creation, carried the Italian flag, which was then raised by a representative of the Italian Carabinieri’s honor guard in Milan and by members of the winning Italian relay team from the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics in Cortina.
Following the recitation of the Italian national anthem, a segment titled “City and Mountain” highlighted the contrasting yet complementary nature of the two host locations. Five Olympic rings were suspended above the stage, forming the emblem of the Games. A video presentation then showcased the various Olympic venues.
The traditional parade of nations commenced with Greece, as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, leading the procession. Countries followed in alphabetical order.
Austria’s flag was carried by snowboarders Anna Gasser and Benjamin Carl, while Czechia was represented by hockey player David Pastrňák and biathlete Lucie Charvátová. Germany’s delegation was led by NHL star Leon Draisaitl, and Latvia’s by former Michalovce player Kaspars Daugaviņš.
Norway, the most successful nation in Winter Olympic history, had alpine skier Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and speed skater Peder Kongshaug as its flag bearers. The Slovakian team entered the stadium as the 75th nation.
Bob racer Viktória Čerňanská carried the Slovak flag in Cortina, while hockey player Tomáš Tatar had the honor in Milan. “It was amazing, and the feelings were truly indescribable. I really felt pride in being able to carry the flag. I was also thinking of all the athletes who are in different places in Italy,” Čerňanská said, a 23-year-old making her Olympic debut.
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The parade also included representatives from Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates, all making their Winter Olympic debuts. The Italian team concluded the procession, with four flag bearers: cross-country skier Federico Pellegrino, curler Amos Mosaner, short track skater Arianna Fontana, and alpine skier Federica Brignone.
Following the parade, a short film depicted the history of the Olympic Games through animation, and actress Sabrina Impacciatore presented the history of winter sports in Italy. Actress Brenda Lodigianiová highlighted the gestures and expressions characteristic of the Italian people.
The ceremony culminated with welcoming remarks from Giovanni Malago, the head of the organizing committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. “Tonight, Italy opens its arms to the world. From the elegance and style of Milan to the alpine majesty of Cortina d’Ampezzo, we welcome you to a land full of history and innovation, creativity, culture, and passion. I have never been prouder to be Italian than tonight. To the athletes, I say – this is your time, your moment, your years of dedication, the courage to dream, and the effort to push the boundaries of what is possible. These Games belong to you. Welcome to Milan and Cortina 2026,” Malago declared.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry followed Malago’s address. “Athletes, this is your moment. I know what it feels like, that mix of excitement and nervousness. All that hard work, those early mornings – it all comes down to this. Enjoy every second. For the next two weeks, you will give us something truly special. You will show us what it means to be human. To dream, to overcome obstacles, to respect each other, to care for each other. You will show us the power that is not just about winning, but about courage, empathy, and heart. You will not only bring incredible experiences, but you will also achieve your Olympic dreams. You will show the world how to live. Through you, we see the best, you remind us that we can be brave and kind. Thank you for believing in the magic of the Olympic Games,” Coventry stated.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games mark the first time the Olympics have been officially hosted by two cities. The Games will be held across an expansive area of over 22,000 square kilometers. Italy has hosted the Olympics four times, including three Winter Games. Cortina d’Ampezzo previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, Rome hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960, and Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006.
A total of 116 events across 16 sports will be contested at the Games, with 54 events for men, 50 for women, and 12 mixed events. Approximately 2,900 athletes from 93 countries are expected to participate. Slovakia will be represented by 53 athletes – 36 men and 17 women – competing in ten sports.
