The 2026 Winter Olympics will be ceremoniously opened in Italy on Friday (February 6, 2026). The hosts are taking an unusual approach. For the first time, the celebration will not only take place in a central location. But what else is special? And which stars and starlets are there?
When and where does the celebration take place?
The big party starts on Friday (February 6th, 2026 in the Sportschau live stream) at 8 p.m. The organizers have come up with something special for these games. Since there are officially two host cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, there will not be just one celebration. Milan will present the biggest show with the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. At the same time, smaller celebrations with national parades also take place in Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno.
The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan.
What about security?
Italy attaches great importance to the safety of participants and guests. 6,000 police officers and 2,000 military personnel were on duty on Friday evening. If you add that to the total of almost 2,900 athletes competing at the Winter Games, there are almost three security guards for every active person. Bomb disposal experts, snipers, anti-terror units and ski police are among the forces deployed. The Defense Ministry is also providing 170 vehicles as well as radars, drones and aircraft.
In what order are the nations presented?
Olympic tradition dictates that Greece, as the cradle of the Olympic movement, is the first nation. The countries then follow in alphabetical order – but in the language of the host. This means that Germany (“Germania”) will come to the stadium as the 32nd nation between Georgia (“Georgia”) and Jamaica (“Giamaica”).
Who are the standard bearers?
Germany is from Katharina Schmid and Leon Draisaitl listed. While the ice hockey superstar will carry the black, red and gold banner into the converted Milan football stadium, Schmid will be running around 300 kilometers away in Predazzo at the head of the German team in the nations parade.
Italy also treats itself to four standard bearers at four locations: Arianna Fontana (short track), Federico Pellegrino (cross-country skiing), Federica Brignone (Alpine skiing) and Amos Mosaner (Curling) gets the honor. Other well-known names with the respective national flag in hand are Poland’s ski jumpers Kamil Stoch, Krista Pärmäkoski (Finland/cross-country skiing), Clement Noël (France/Alpine skiing) or the Slovenian ski jumping siblings Domes and Nika Prevc. The Romanians will also stand out, with seven different athletes carrying the flag.
Who lights the Olympic flame?
This is usually a well-kept secret by the organizers. But Italian media have unanimously reported in advance that former ski stars Alberto Tomba (in Milan) and Deborah Compagnoni (in Cortina) should carry the flame on the final meters. The fire will then burn in cauldrons whose design is intended to be reminiscent of the works of the great Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci.
How will the show go?
The main celebration in Milan will be staged by Marco Balich. The creative director was already responsible for the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Turin 20 years ago. The ceremony was worked on for around two years and rehearsals have been running for around six months. The opening ceremony has the motto “Armonia” – i.e. harmony. The show, which lasts around 2:45 hours, will also address the relationship between humans and nature.
Which stars and starlets will you see?
The list is long. In Milan, among other things Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli come up with musical performances. The Chinese star pianist Long Long will also occur. Also the Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore and the award-winning producer Pierfrancesco Favino are in the spotlight.
Who else will be guests?
Of course, such an event also attracts numerous international politicians who will sit in the stands. The Federal President is from Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier arrived. The USA is represented by Vice President JD Vance represented.
Source: with material from SID
