2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony: start time, performers and key details

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially get underway on Friday February 6, as Milan hosts the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Games. It marks the first time the Winter Olympics have been staged across two host cities, with events split between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Around 2,900 athletes from across the world will compete in Italy, with organisers promising a spectacle that blends sport, culture and modern Italian identity.

When is the opening ceremony and how to watch

The opening ceremony will take place on February 6 at San Siro Stadium in Milan. It is scheduled to begin at 2.30pm ET, with a primetime encore at 8pm ET.

In the United States, the ceremony will air on NBC and stream on Peacock, alongside NBC’s digital platforms. International broadcast arrangements vary by region.

Performers and ceremony theme

Organisers have confirmed a headline performance by Mariah Carey, joined by a lineup that blends classical, contemporary and Italian music.

Additional performers include Andrea Bocelli, pianist Lang Lang, soprano Cecilia Bartoli and pop star Laura Pausini.

The ceremony’s official theme is “Armonia”, meaning harmony, which organisers say reflects Italy’s cultural heritage and its connection to the Olympic spirit.

Team USA and major storylines

The United States is sending its largest-ever Winter Olympics delegation, with 232 athletes, including 98 returning Olympians. Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca will carry the U.S. flag during the Parade of Nations.

One of the most closely watched storylines heading into the Games is the planned return of American ski star Lindsey Vonn, who has said she intends to compete despite recently rupturing her ACL.

What happens next

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to February 22, with competitions spread across northern Italy.

The Olympic torch relay, which began in Olympia, Greece, in November 2025, will conclude in Milan during the opening ceremony, when the cauldron is lit to officially launch the Games.

With record athlete numbers, a high-profile performer lineup and Italy hosting the Winter Games for the first time in two decades, the Milano Cortina opening ceremony is set to be one of the most watched global events of 2026.