The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here. All eyes are on Italy today for the Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony, marking the official start of two weeks of world-class action on the ice and snow.
While some events already started earlier in the week, and several competitions begin earlier in the week, the Opening Ceremony remains the symbolic moment when the world formally gathers under the Olympic banner and fans feel that the Games have truly arrived.
Broadcasters around the world promise extended coverage before and after the ceremony; it’s looking like it could be one of the highlights or the single most-watched moment of the entire Winter Games.
Where the Opening Ceremony Is Being Held
The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is staged at San Siro Stadium in Milan, one of the most iconic sporting venues in Europe and a soccer temple for soccer fans. Known as the home of both AC Milan and Inter Milan, San Siro is being transformed into an Olympic venue capable to put on a show for the tens of thousands of fans in the stands and millions watching on TV from around the globe.
What to Expect From the Milan–Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony
This Milan–Cortina Opening Ceremony is shaping up to be one for the ages, a visually ambitious show. Large-scale choreography, advanced lighting systems, and immersive digital projections are central to the production that will transform the San Siro into a theater.
Organizers have put a real focus on music and fashion, the two areas where Milan really holds its own as a global force. Fusion of classical Italian heritage with contemporary pop and electronic sounds and high fashion costumes.
At the heart of the whole thing, there will be a central emotional thread of the ceremony that is a tribute to Giorgio Armani, honoring his lifelong influence on Italian style, elegance, and global culture.
How To Watch the Opening Ceremony Live
The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast live across hundreds of television networks and streaming platforms worldwide. In the United States, NBC airs the ceremony with simultaneous streaming on Peacock, offering full live coverage as well as replays.
In Europe, public broadcasters like France Télévisions and the BBC are doing live and online coverage, while beIN SPORTS and Supersport will be covering the ceremony in Africa and the Middle East.
The ceremony kicks off at 8:00 PM local time in Milan, which means fans in the States will be watching in the afternoon. You can catch it live at 2:00 PM Eastern or 11:00 AM Pacific. If you can’t make the live show, US broadcasters will have prime-time replays later that night.
Athletes, Flags, and History
More than 3,500 athletes take part in the Parade of Nations, including several from countries making their very first Winter Olympic appearance, such as Benin, Guinea-Bissau and United Arab Emirates.
There’s something special about cheering for your own flag while discovering new ones and seeing the raw emotion on the faces of first-time Olympians.
And just like in recent years, some athletes are competing under a neutral flag due to international sanctions.
