Winter Olympics 2026: Opening Ceremony marks official start of Milan Cortina games; Andrea Bocelli, Sabrina Impacciatore stun in performances

A rousing Opening Ceremony that included everything from dancing musical notes to massive paint tubes to massive flying Olympic rings to Mariah Carey ended with a dramatic reveal as Italian legends Sofia Goggia, Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni lit the two torches that will burn for the length of the Winter Olympics.

The first-of-its-kind Opening Ceremony — the “first widespread Olympic Games,” as a dramatic narrator put it — took place in four separate locations — Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno and Predazzo — with simultaneous and complementary performances happening across Northern Italy. The Olympic torches are located at the Arco della Pace in Milan and  Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The opening quarter of the show paid tribute to Italy’s deep cultural heritage, from its history as a hub of art and music to Milan’s tradition of fashion. Two dancers rode into the stadium on giant floating rings; only after they rose a hundred feet in the air and leaped from the rings did their true purpose become clear: three other rings lit up and floated to the center of the arena, forming the five Olympic rings.

Read more on the Opening Ceremony from Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee in Milan.

Chinese pianist Lang Lang accompanies Italian opera singer Cecilia Bartoli in performing the Olympic anthem as the Olympic flag was officially raised:

WHAT. A. VOICE.

Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron is next to speak after a performance that ended with its participants taking the floor in the shape of a dove, delivering an impassioned call for peace:

Athletes, spectators from every corner of the world, this is a message of peace by my beloved countryman, Nelson Mandela.

“Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference.”

Today, this message seems more relevant than ever. So let these Games be more than just sport. Let them be a reminder of our common humanity, our respect for one another and a resounding call for peace everywhere.

Next up is a speech from Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee:

“Welcome to your games. This is your moment. I know what it feels like … that mix of excitement and nerves. Your whole life of hard work, of early mornings, long days, sacrifices, setbacks — it all comes down to this. I know that feeling when you realize, ‘This is it.’ Youve made it.”

Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortinal 2026 Organizing Committee, gave a speech during the Opening Ceremony that could send chills down the spin of any sports lover.

“Dear athletes, you are drawn from different traditions, different cultures, different countries. And yet you are united by sport — a universal language.”

We know that Italian speakers can be a bit emphatic when it comes to hand gestures. For those unfamiliar, the Olympics put together a whole skit to help translate:

After the full parade of athletes made their way through, a video introduction set up “The White Lotus” star Sabrina Impacciatore for a grand entrance … which many on social media are flagging as potentially AI-generated content. 🤔

As the hosts of the Milan Cortina Olympics, Team Italy is the last to enter at the Opening Ceremony.

Team USA is led by flag bearers Erin Jackson (speed skating) and Frank Del Duca (bobsled).