Excitement is building across Italy as the nation gears up for the most ambitious and geographically diverse Winter Olympic Games in history. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set to open on February 6, 2026, will not only break records for the number of venues but also for the scope and inclusivity of its opening ceremony. Organizers have unveiled a groundbreaking plan that will see the Parade of Nations and the lighting of the Olympic flame unfold simultaneously across four distinct locations—Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, Cortina, Predazzo (Val di Fiemme), and Livigno (Valtellina Cluster)—a first in Olympic history.
The decision to spread the opening ceremony across multiple sites reflects the polycentric vision at the heart of these Games. As Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milan-Cortina organizing committee, put it, “The Opening Ceremony is the entrance way, an invitation. The only moment that is truly for everyone is the Opening Ceremony. It is the moment that defines that edition of the Games, in their spirit.” This innovative approach ensures that athletes from every discipline, regardless of where they’re competing, can actively participate in the festivities. No more will distance or scheduling prevent competitors from joining in the Olympic spirit right from the start.
The logistics are nothing short of monumental. Olympic events will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026, spanning the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto, as well as the autonomous provinces of Alto Adige and Trentino. The distances between venues are considerable, often requiring hours of travel. Yet, the organizing committee has found creative solutions to bridge these divides. For instance, biathlon athletes competing in Anterselva, near the Austrian border, will be able to join the parade in nearby Cortina, nestled in the stunning Dolomites. Meanwhile, men’s alpine skiers stationed in Bormio, close to Switzerland, will participate in Livigno, a mere 45-minute drive away and the site of snowboarding and freestyle skiing events. Nordic skiing athletes will gather in Val di Fiemme, ensuring that every cluster of competition is represented in the opening spectacle.
Central to the ceremony’s inclusivity is a new rule for flagbearers. Each nation is allotted two flagbearers, who can appear at different venues, allowing countries to showcase their diversity and athletic pride in more than one location. As the host nation, Italy will enjoy the honor of four flagbearers—two men and two women—underscoring the country’s commitment to gender equality and representation.
The Parade of Nations, always a highlight of Olympic pageantry, will see athletes led by their flagbearers into Milan’s San Siro Stadium in front of 60,000 spectators. Simultaneously, parallel parades will unfold in Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno, connecting athletes and fans across the northern Italian landscape in a shared moment of global unity. “Milano Cortina 2026 will be the first edition of the Olympic Winter Games with a polycentric model, meaning the Games will be spread across multiple cities. The Opening Ceremony will also reflect this vision: thanks to an innovative and inclusive project, all athletes will be able to participate in a shared experience in harmony between Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme,” organizers explained, according to The Sports Examiner.
The concept of harmony—chosen as the official theme for the ceremonies—runs deeper than just logistics. Marco Balich, the veteran Italian producer and creative director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, emphasized its significance: “It means ‘bringing together’ in musical terms, different elements. Because there are two cities, Milan and Cortina, city and mountain, the harmony between man and nature, between cultures, people and different ways of thinking … it is very meaningful.” In a world often divided by conflict and tension, the Milan-Cortina Games aim to send a message of peace, unity, and beauty through sport. “If I can achieve that, and send a strong message of peace, I think that we will achieve our goal,” Balich stated.
In another historic first, the Olympic flame will burn in two locations: the Arco della Pace in central Milan and Cortina’s main Piazza Dibona. The design of the cauldrons, which is still under wraps, is expected to reflect the duality and harmony of city and mountain, modernity and tradition. Maria Laura Iascone, Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies Director, described the vision: “We are revealing the two places that will become iconic, where we will ignite the two Olympic cauldrons and raise the excitement: in Milan, at the Arco della Pace, you will all see this wonder and, in the same way, in Cortina, you will be able to admire it in Piazza Dibona, in the centre of Cortina.”
The ceremonies will also pay tribute to Italian culture and style, with a special moment dedicated to the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. Armani, renowned for his decades-long contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic uniforms of the Italian national team, will be honored with what organizers promise will be a moment of emotion and gratitude. “There will be a moment of emotion, and even a standing ovation, in gratitude, for Giorgio Armani,” said Giovanni Malagò, former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee and current president of the local organizing committee.
The choice of San Siro Stadium as the main stage for the ceremony adds yet another layer of significance. Home to Inter Milan and AC Milan, this legendary venue is slated for demolition and replacement by a new stadium in the coming years. “It’s an icon of the city. It is very important that in its history San Siro will have also hosted an Olympic Ceremony, which not many stadiums in the world have done,” Varnier remarked. The Games will offer a fitting farewell to a structure that has witnessed countless sporting triumphs and heartbreaks over the decades.
The closing ceremony, too, promises to be unforgettable, with festivities scheduled for the Arena di Verona—a Roman amphitheater dating back to the first century—on February 22, 2026. This blend of ancient and modern, urban and alpine, tradition and innovation, is set to define the Milan-Cortina 2026 experience from start to finish.
With just over a year to go, anticipation is mounting across Italy and the global sporting community. By embracing a polycentric model and weaving together the threads of geography, culture, and history, the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are poised to deliver a Games unlike any other. As preparations continue and the world looks ahead to February 2026, one thing is clear: the spirit of harmony, inclusion, and Italian flair will shine brightly, lighting the way for athletes and fans alike.
