Milano Cortina 2026 kicks off: two cities and two braziers for the Opening Ceremony

Two cities and two braziers for the Winter Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026. For the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, they will burn simultaneously in two different cities: in Milan at the Arco della Pace and in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Piazza Dibona. And they will light up – after 63 days across Italy, 60 cities, 12.000 kilometers in all 110 provinces of the Peninsula – tomorrow February 6th on the occasion of one of the most significant and intense moments of the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026.

A tale of beauty, creativity, and Italian identity at the Milan San Siro Olympic Stadium.

Ceremony that, at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, It will be a story of beauty, creativity, and Italian identity. Thought by the author of 16 Olympic ceremonies, the Venetian Marco Balich, who from Italy wants to speak to the whole world "Celebrating sport and offering a moment of inclusion and encounter. With Milano Cortina 2026, we want to offer a ceremony capable of combining Italian style with the power of emotions". The special tribute of the evening will be dedicated to the style of a great Italian: Giorgio Armani, a symbol of our country's excellence and a friend of sport.

The show will revolve around the word Armonia, title and theme of the Ceremony, which aims to be a tribute to Italy and its values: those of imagination and beauty, of design and taste, of music and elegance. To celebrate, this is the common denominator of everything, Italian talent. In all its forms, not only that of sport and the athletes who will be the true protagonists of Milano Cortina 2026. Narrator of the evening, two hours of pure entertainment, the Italian actress Matilda Angelis.

The first Olympics with a polycentric model

And since this is the first edition of the Winter Olympic Games with a polycentric model, The Opening Ceremony will be as public as the Games. Details are largely top secret, but the official rendering of the stage reveals a scenographic structure designed to connect with the different regions where the competitions will take place. All athletes will be able to participate in a shared parade between Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, living a choral and one-of-a-kind experience. In line with what has already been stated by President of the Milano Cortina Foundation, Giovanni Malagò"The Opening Ceremony will be the first great global embrace of Milano Cortina 2026".

But it will also be a truly unforgettable evening, the organizers assure, catwalk of national stars (Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Ghali, Sabrina Impacciatore, Pierfrancesco Favino, ...) and international stars such as Mariah Carey and by Tom Cruise, the latter in Italy to promote the next edition of the Games, in 2028 in Los Angeles. And the third time that the Winter Olympic Games are held in ItalyThe first was held in Cortina, in 1956, exactly seventy years ago. The second was held in Turin, in 2006. This year, it will be held in a widespread format that will touch Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino, making them unique. The live broadcast of the The Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026 will be held tomorrow, February 6th. will be broadcast on Rai 1, RaiNews.it and Raiplay on February 6th starting at 7:50 pm.