2026 Winter Games to open at San Siro

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics will be staged at Milan’s San Siro stadium and extend across multiple sites in northern Italy, marking a first for the Winter Games with a truly multi‑location inauguration. Milan and co‑host Cortina d’Ampezzo will both play central roles, while athletes will also parade and take part in events at Predazzo and Livigno; delegations from the same country may be split across different venues to share the opening experience.

Organisers unveiled the ceremony’s theme, “Armonia” (harmony), which organisers say will emphasize unity in diversity by weaving Italy’s cultural heritage with innovation, nature and sport. Creative director Marco Balich described the concept as a means to “transform our values into shared images, sounds and emotions,” aiming for a harmonic message of coexistence that bridges urban and alpine identities and responds to contemporary global divisions.

San Siro will host the main spectacle on the night, anchored by a striking spiral‑shaped LED stage built on the pitch. Four ramps will radiate from the central spiral, a layout intended to evoke connection and flow among performers, athletes and audiences. The programme will trace Italy’s history and celebrate prominent national figures—ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to contemporary icons in design and fashion—with a special tribute to designer Giorgio Armani, who recently died and whose work is closely associated with Milan.

In a break from tradition, the ceremony will include two Olympic cauldrons: one to be lit at Milan’s Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) and the other in Piazza Dibona in Cortina, symbolizing the dual‑host nature of the Games and reinforcing the theme of linked but distinct locales. The organisers present the arrangement as the first “widespread” Winter Olympic opening, intended to ensure athletes across Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, Predazzo, Livigno, Cortina and Milan share a unified ceremonial moment despite geographical separation.

The event is likely to be among the final major spectacles at San Siro, the century‑old stadium that faces eventual demolition as AC Milan and Inter plan a new nearby arena. That element adds poignancy to the staging, positioning the ceremony as both a celebration of national culture and a farewell to an iconic sporting venue.