Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are set to host a groundbreaking opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics, featuring simultaneous events across four competition venues.
The traditional athlete parade will unfold at the iconic San Siro football stadium in Milan, but also at mountain sites: Cortina d´Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo. These additional locations are designated for alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, and Nordic skiing events.
This innovative approach allows athletes already at their respective mountain venues to participate directly in the ceremony. Games Executive Director Andrea Varnier stated it marks the first time athletes on location can participate, aiming to convey a sense of unity on screen.
Participating nations can assign their two flag bearers, typically one man and one woman, to any of the four locations. Host nation Italy will exceptionally be granted four flag bearers.
The Games are scheduled to run from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
San Siro, home to renowned football clubs Inter and AC Milan, is expected to draw over 60,000 spectators for the opening event. Tickets for the Milan venue are priced between approximately $280 and $2,180, converted from euros.
Artistic Director Marco Balich described the ceremony as a tribute to the Italian spirit, referencing historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci, and delivering a message of peace to the world. The show is expected to last around two and a half hours.
The spectacle will also emphasize “Made in Italy” and include a tribute to late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, a Milanese sports enthusiast. Italian actress Matilda de Angelis is confirmed to participate, described as “one of the voices of Italian creativity.”
In related preparations, both ice hockey venues are expected to be ready for the competition. The women’s tournament is set to begin on February 5, 2026.
A planned U20 World Championship test event for one venue, initially scheduled for December 8-14, was canceled. This decision was made to avoid pressuring ongoing construction efforts, according to Varnier.
The Arena Santa Giulia, a privately built venue also slated for basketball games and concerts, will undergo a critical test next year. Italian ice hockey championship games will be held there from January 9-11.
This test will operate at the venue’s 16,000-seat capacity, hosting three games daily for three consecutive days. Varnier confirmed this is necessary to evaluate the ice’s resistance and the ventilation and refrigeration systems.