Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini & More Shine at 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The February 6th opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics wasn’t confined to a single location, a deliberate choice reflecting the Games’ unique dual-city format. While the San Siro Stadium in Milan served as the central hub for a sprawling, three-and-a-half-hour spectacle orchestrated by Balich Wonder Studio, simultaneous events unfolded in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno, a move designed to minimize travel burdens for athletes competing in the Dolomites.

The ceremony, as described by Balich himself, aimed to be more than just a display of technological prowess or visual grandeur. “It is, above all, a story told through people and emotions,” he stated, articulating a vision of harmony, beauty, and peace intended to resonate globally, particularly in a period marked by international instability. This ambition was woven throughout the evening, from the choreography to the musical performances.

Among the most anticipated performers were Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, and Andrea Bocelli, representing a blend of international stardom and Italian musical heritage. The evening’s soundtrack also featured original compositions performed by over 500 musicians, underscoring the event’s commitment to artistic depth.

The pre-ceremony buzz centered around the Red Carpet event at the Teatro Alla Scala, a gathering of luminaries from the worlds of sport, film, and fashion. Shaun White, the three-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, was among the past Olympic champions in attendance, alongside Dutch figure skating champion Irene Schouten. The event also drew figures like Jeff Goldblum, Donatella Versace, Stanley Tucci, and Marisa Tomei, highlighting the Olympics’ broad cultural appeal.

K-Pop also had a presence, with Sunghoon of ENHYPEN serving as a torchbearer and making an appearance at the Scala Theatre. He reflected on the shared goals of athletes and artists, noting, “Both athletes and K-Pop artists have the goal to make the fans happy and enjoy the event.” Having previously competed in figure skating for a decade, Sunghoon expressed the honor of participating in the Games in a new capacity.

Usher, also in attendance, spoke to the symbiotic relationship between music and sport, particularly highlighting music’s role in disciplines like figure skating. “Music, for example, is very important in figure skating,” he observed. “But for the most part, it ultimately gives the athletes a soundtrack that helps to compel and push through.”

The ceremony itself commenced with a choreographed performance by 70 dancers from the Academy of Teatro Alla Scala, reinterpreting the myth of Cupid, and Psyche. The visual aesthetic, characterized by white hues and chiaroscuro, drew inspiration from the neoclassical sculptures of Antonio Canova, before transitioning into a vibrant display of color accompanied by the music of Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini.

Mariah Carey’s performance marked a significant moment, with the artist delivering a rendition of Domenico Modugno’s iconic “Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu” (“Volare”), reimagined with her signature vocal flourishes. She followed this with a performance of one of her own hits, “Nothing Is Impossible.”

A tribute was paid to the late Giorgio Armani, with models showcasing his designs in the colors of the Italian flag. Laura Pausini then took the stage to perform the Italian national anthem, setting the stage for the Parade of Nations, a procession lasting over an hour, beginning with Greece and culminating with the host nation, Italy. The parade was punctuated by a mix of reactions from the crowd, with boos directed at the Israeli flag and enthusiastic applause for the Ukrainian team.

Speeches followed from Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina Foundation, and Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee. Malagò expressed immense pride in Italy and encouraged the athletes, stating, “This is your time… These Games belong to you.” Coventry emphasized the unifying power of the Games, noting that athletes “remind us that People can be brave, that we can be kind.”

Charlize Theron, a United Nations Messenger of Peace, delivered a monologue inspired by a speech from Nelson Mandela, emphasizing that “Peace is not just the absence of conflict… Peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish.”

The arrival of the Olympic flame was accompanied by Andrea Bocelli’s performance of “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s “Turandot,” reaching a crescendo as the flame was lit. Rapper Ghali’s performance, however, proved more complex. His participation, given his pro-Palestine stance, was reportedly met with some internal resistance, and television coverage minimized his presence, omitting his name and close-up shots.

Despite the reported constraints, Ghali’s performance, reciting Gianni Rodari’s poem “Promemoria” in three languages, proved to be a poignant moment, delivering a simple yet powerful anti-war message: “There are things you should never do/ Neither by day nor by night/ Neither by sea nor by land/ For example, war.”

With the athletes’ oaths completed, the Olympic Braziers were simultaneously lit in both Milan and Cortina, officially marking the commencement of the 2026 Winter Olympics.