Olympic Opening Ceremony: times, where to see it, guests: what you need to know

It could be the last major global spectacle hosted by the Meazza, before it is emptied in view of the new stadium

by Marco Bellinazzo

6 February 2026aggiornato alle 16:15

Olimpiadi al via, a Milano gli ultimi preparativi per la cerimonia inaugurale

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

When the lights of the San Siro Stadium - renamed 'San Siro Olympic Stadium' for the occasion - turn on this evening for the Inaugural Ceremony of Milan-Cortina, Italia will not just be opening an Olympics: it will be staging a cultural, economic and diplomatic operation of global significance. According to the organising committee, the event will reach some two billion spectators worldwide.

A widespread model that becomes paradigm

For the first time in the history of the Winter Games, the Ceremony will be polycentric, reflecting the territorial architecture of Milan-Cortina 2026.

Alongside the main show at the Meazza, symbolic moments and parades of athletes will take place in other Olympic venues: Cortina, Livigno, Predazzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, with the presence of two lit braziers in Milan (Arco della Pace) and Cortina d'Ampezzo (Piazza Dibona) respectively.

A choice that dialogues with the vision of the creative director Marco Balich, who wanted to build the entire narrative around the theme of 'harmony': a balance between city and mountain, man and nature, different cultures and identities, at a time in history marked by global tensions. "The celebration of harmony represents the essence of Olympic values," Balich emphasised.

San Siro, one last great act

The ceremony is also charged with a further symbolic value: it could be the last great global spectacle hosted by the Meazza, before its gradual emptying in view of the new stadium project of Inter and Milan. For this reason, the Milan Cortina Foundation speaks of a 'historic' event that combines Italian identity, creativity and the collective memory of sport.

The evening is also expected to be attended by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who will officially kick off the Games.

The guests: a global cast for an Italia story

It will be a show that weaves together big names from international and Italian music and pop culture.

More than 1,300 cast members and around 950 technical workers will be involved in the production, for a show that is also a major organisational and industrial machine.

Among the confirmed artists: Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini, Italian icons in the world, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore, Matilda De Angelis, Ghali, Cecilia Bartoli, Lang Lang, and many others. All part of an ensemble that will transform the stadium into an 'unprecedented' stage, according to the organisers.

A special tribute will be dedicated to the recently deceased Giorgio Armani, a symbolic figure of Italian elegance: the Ceremony will pay homage to him through a special narrative segment.

Time, where to see it and how to follow it

The Ceremony will start at 20:00 on 6 February with broadcast from 19:50.

The transmission will be granted free-to-air and live by: Rai 1, RaiNews.it and Raiplay. The commentary will be provided by Auro Bulbarelli (deputy director RaiSport) and writer Fabio Genovesi.

On pay TV, the Ceremony and all competitions of the Winter Olympics will be broadcast on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 visible on Dazn and on Amazon Prime Video Channels through the additional Discovery+ subscription.

In addition, the Olympic Games can also be watched on TimVision on the Eurosport channels included in all packages at no extra cost.

On the international front, numerous broadcasters will cover the event, with a focus on the key markets of North America and Asia, thanks to the presence of global artists and the show's strong showmanship.

Access and logistics: what to know for those who will be in Milan

The stadium will only be accessible by named digital ticket, which can be purchased via the official event app.

Car parks in the San Siro area will be closed and the public will be directed to the metro (M5 San Siro, M1 Lotto) and tram 16, with extended hours until 2 a.m. throughout the Olympic phase (5-21 February).