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The Olympic Opening Ceremony reliably delivers spectacle, and this year is no exception. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open with a ceremony designed to feel as welcoming and grand as Italy itself.
Rather than being contained to a single stadium, the Opening Ceremony will unfold across multiple locations, stretching from Milan’s urban centre to the alpine towns of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo and Livigno.
It is a bold logistical choice, but also a symbolic one, reflecting the idea that these Games belong to Italy’s landscapes as much as its pageantry. Consider it a nationwide curtain call.
Beyond the security theatre, political delegations and Olympic ritual of flags, torch-lighting and carefully choreographed unity, the emotional tempo of the night will be set by its performers.
This is where the ceremony hits its stride. With Italian icons like Andrea Bocelli sharing the spotlight with global stars such as Mariah Carey, the lineup balances homegrown pride with international star power. We, for one, cannot wait to watch them take it over.
Below, everyone performing at this year’s Winter Olympics, plus when and where to follow along from Australia.
Who Is Performing At The 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Mariah Carey
The most headline-grabbing name on the bill, pop princess Mariah Carey makes her Opening Ceremony debut in Italy. The Grammy-winning pop icon brings full-scale emotional theatre to the Games, adding a layer of glossy spectacle to what is otherwise a tradition-heavy evening.
Andrea Bocelli
Few voices are more synonymous with Italian grandeur than Bocelli’s. Returning to the Olympic stage two decades after performing during the Torino 2006 Games, his tenor anchors the ceremony in national pride. Expect something operatic, ceremonial and engineered for goosebumps.
Laura Pausini
A generational pop figure in Italy, Pausini brings crossover appeal that bridges domestic icon status with international recognition. Her presence nods to Italy’s pop export legacy — emotional, melodic, and built for arena-scale moments.
Cecilia Bartoli
Operatic weight comes courtesy of Bartoli, one of Italy’s most decorated classical performers. Her inclusion leans into the ceremony’s promise of cultural heritage, elevating the evening beyond spectacle into something closer to a formal cultural presentation.
Lang Lang
The globally celebrated pianist returns to Olympic ceremony territory with a performance designed to cut through the visual noise of a multi-city event. His role is less about nationality and more about universality — a reminder that the Games position classical music as a shared emotional language.
Sabrina Impacciatore
Known internationally for The White Lotus, Impacciatore will appear in a narrative, non-musical role, contributing to the ceremony’s theatrical elements. Think performance art rather than concert cameo — part of the storytelling architecture of the night.
Ghali
The most contemporary edge in the lineup, Ghali represents modern Italy’s multicultural soundscape. Blending rap with multiple languages and diasporic influence, his performance reframes what “Italian music” looks like on a global stage in 2026.
Together, the lineup reads like a carefully engineered cultural bridge: opera and classical tradition on one side; pop superstardom and contemporary identity on the other. It’s Italy presenting itself not just as the custodian of old-world beauty, but as an active participant in global pop culture — with a soundtrack built for both heritage and hype.
How To Watch The Opening Ceremony In Australia
The Opening Ceremony will be staged at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. Australian viewers can tune in live on the Nine Network and 9Now, or stream via Stan Sport, with coverage kicking off at 6am AEDT on Saturday, February 7.
When Do The Winter Olympics Start?
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially run from February 6 to February 22, but competition begins earlier. Mixed doubles curling gets things underway on February 4, two days before the Opening Ceremony. For a full breakdown of events and timings, see the detailed schedule here.
