Photos capture the Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony
The Olympic cauldron in Milan is lit
Torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire
Team USA enters the arena
Flagbearer Erin Jackson of Team United States enters the athlete parade with her team during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
Performers form the Milky Way
A general view as performers form the Milky Way during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
The Olympic cauldron in Cortina
The Olympic cauldron is lit at the Arco della Pace during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 6 at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Julian Finney
Team Italy hands over the Olympic flame
Athletes of Team Italy handover the Olympic flame to the next group of Torchbearers during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
The Olympic cauldron in Milan
A pyrotechnic display takes place as torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Lars Baron
Italian rapper Ghali performs
Dancers form the shape of a dove as Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
Dancers decked in colorful costumes encircle singer and actress Matilda De Angelis
Matilda De Angelis performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
National anthem of Italy performed in Cortina d'Ampezzo
A mountain choir performs the national anthem as the flag of Italy waves during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona on Feb. 6 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Carmen Mandato
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors dressed as Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini
Actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
JD Vance watches the Opening Ceremony
JD Vance, vice president of the United States, attends the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors perform in Olympic rings
Two actors performing inside rings representing the city and mountain during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Flagbearer Vittoria Ceretti
Vittoria Ceretti, flagbearer for Milano, caries the Italian flag during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Elsa
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Dancers form a mound as Italian rapper Ghali performs
Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
A tribute to Italian beauty
Cupid (Claudio Coviello) and Psyche (Antonella Albano) perform a tribute to Italian beauty during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Performers circle giant tubes of paint
A general view of a parade of performers dressed as symbols of Italian imagination and creativity during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
Models wearing Armani in the colors of the Italian flag
Models wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani walk during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Team Canada in Livigno
Marielle Thompson and Mikael Kingsbury, flagbearers of Team Canada, enter with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 6, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer
Team Ukraine enters the stadium
Flagbearer Yelyzaveta Sydorko of Team Ukraine enters with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
The Olympic cauldron in Milan is lit
Torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire
Team USA enters the arena
Flagbearer Erin Jackson of Team United States enters the athlete parade with her team during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
Performers form the Milky Way
A general view as performers form the Milky Way during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
The Olympic cauldron in Cortina
The Olympic cauldron is lit at the Arco della Pace during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 6 at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Julian Finney
Team Italy hands over the Olympic flame
Athletes of Team Italy handover the Olympic flame to the next group of Torchbearers during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
The Olympic cauldron in Milan
A pyrotechnic display takes place as torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Lars Baron
Italian rapper Ghali performs
Dancers form the shape of a dove as Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
Dancers decked in colorful costumes encircle singer and actress Matilda De Angelis
Matilda De Angelis performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
National anthem of Italy performed in Cortina d'Ampezzo
A mountain choir performs the national anthem as the flag of Italy waves during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona on Feb. 6 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Carmen Mandato
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors dressed as Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini
Actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
JD Vance watches the Opening Ceremony
JD Vance, vice president of the United States, attends the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors perform in Olympic rings
Two actors performing inside rings representing the city and mountain during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Flagbearer Vittoria Ceretti
Vittoria Ceretti, flagbearer for Milano, caries the Italian flag during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Elsa
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Dancers form a mound as Italian rapper Ghali performs
Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
A tribute to Italian beauty
Cupid (Claudio Coviello) and Psyche (Antonella Albano) perform a tribute to Italian beauty during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Performers circle giant tubes of paint
A general view of a parade of performers dressed as symbols of Italian imagination and creativity during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
Models wearing Armani in the colors of the Italian flag
Models wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani walk during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Team Canada in Livigno
Marielle Thompson and Mikael Kingsbury, flagbearers of Team Canada, enter with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 6, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer
Team Ukraine enters the stadium
Flagbearer Yelyzaveta Sydorko of Team Ukraine enters with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
The Olympic cauldron in Milan is lit
Torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jamie Squire
Team USA enters the arena
Flagbearer Erin Jackson of Team United States enters the athlete parade with her team during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
Performers form the Milky Way
A general view as performers form the Milky Way during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
The Olympic cauldron in Cortina
The Olympic cauldron is lit at the Arco della Pace during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 6 at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Julian Finney
Team Italy hands over the Olympic flame
Athletes of Team Italy handover the Olympic flame to the next group of Torchbearers during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
The Olympic cauldron in Milan
A pyrotechnic display takes place as torchbearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona in Milan, Italy.
PHOTO: Lars Baron
Italian rapper Ghali performs
Dancers form the shape of a dove as Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton
Dancers decked in colorful costumes encircle singer and actress Matilda De Angelis
Matilda De Angelis performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Maja Hitij
National anthem of Italy performed in Cortina d'Ampezzo
A mountain choir performs the national anthem as the flag of Italy waves during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Piazza Dibona on Feb. 6 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
PHOTO: Carmen Mandato
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors dressed as Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini
Actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
JD Vance watches the Opening Ceremony
JD Vance, vice president of the United States, attends the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Andreas Rentz
Actors perform in Olympic rings
Two actors performing inside rings representing the city and mountain during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Flagbearer Vittoria Ceretti
Vittoria Ceretti, flagbearer for Milano, caries the Italian flag during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Elsa
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome
Actors dressed as symbols of Ancient Rome perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Dancers form a mound as Italian rapper Ghali performs
Ghali performs Promemoria (Memorandum) by Gianni Rodari during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
A tribute to Italian beauty
Cupid (Claudio Coviello) and Psyche (Antonella Albano) perform a tribute to Italian beauty during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Sarah Stier
Performers circle giant tubes of paint
A general view of a parade of performers dressed as symbols of Italian imagination and creativity during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
Models wearing Armani in the colors of the Italian flag
Models wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani walk during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein
Team Canada in Livigno
Marielle Thompson and Mikael Kingsbury, flagbearers of Team Canada, enter with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on Feb. 6, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer
Team Ukraine enters the stadium
Flagbearer Yelyzaveta Sydorko of Team Ukraine enters with the team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium.
PHOTO: Matthias Hangst
The 2026 Winter Games are off to the races around northern Italy.
At the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium in Milan, dancers, singers and performers captured the spirit of Italy for a crowd of thousands before athletes from each participating country processed bearing flags.
Here are the most striking moments from the opening ceremonies in the city of Milan, the ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and the Alpine town of Livigno, three of the 15 venues involved in the most geographically widespread Winter Games in history.
