Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey to Headline Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is set to take place on February 6, 2026, at Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium. Organizers have announced that renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and American pop star Mariah Carey will headline the event, which is expected to be the most-watched moment of the Games. The ceremony will last approximately three hours and will feature the Parade of Athletes alongside various entertainment segments.

Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey to Perform at Olympic Opening CeremonyESPNReuters

In a distinctive approach, the Milano Cortina Games will be the most geographically dispersed Olympics in history, with parts of the opening ceremony occurring in three additional locations: Cortina in the Dolomite mountains, Livigno in the Italian Alps, and Predazzo in the autonomous province of Trento. This format aims to include athletes from all disciplines and showcase the diverse Italian landscape.

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The ceremony will also pay tribute to the late Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September 2023 at the age of 91. Armani was instrumental in designing the Italian team's Olympic uniforms and has a significant legacy tied to Milan, including the Armani theater and Silos museum.

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Andrea Bocelli, known for his versatility in both classical and pop music, will perform during a break from his world tour, which resumes shortly after the ceremony. Mariah Carey, a six-time Grammy Award winner, expressed her excitement for the event through an Instagram post, stating, "Ci vediamo a Milano" ("See you in Milan"). Additionally, Italian actors Sabrina Impacciatore and Matilde De Angelis will participate, with Impacciatore recognized for her role in HBO's "The White Lotus" and De Angelis for her work in Netflix's "The Law According to Lydia Poet."

Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey to Perform at Olympic Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony is anticipated to attract a live audience of approximately 60,000 spectators, with millions more expected to watch on television. The closing ceremony will feature celebrated ballet star Roberto Bolle at Verona's ancient Roman Arena on February 22, 2026.

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Organizers have highlighted that Bocelli's performance will be a significant moment, uniting the spectacle with the essence of Olympic values. They noted that his inclusion will contribute a contemporary and global tone to the narrative of the event.

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• “will constitute one of the most iconic moments of the event, uniting the spectacle with the essence of Olympic values,” — Organizers

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• “Ci vediamo a Milano” — Mariah Carey, Pop Star

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The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony promises to be a grand celebration of culture, sport, and Italian heritage, setting the stage for a memorable Olympic experience.

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