Star-Studded Lineup Announced for 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and other renowned artists to perform at Milan Cortina Winter Games

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The highly anticipated 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony will feature a star-studded lineup of performers, including pop superstar Mariah Carey, renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Italian singer Laura Pausini, and concert pianist Lang Lang. The ceremony, themed 'Harmony,' aims to create a symbolic space where 'communities come together and transcend boundaries.' Around 60,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will be broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide.

Why it matters

The Olympics Opening Ceremony is a global event that sets the tone for the entire Games, showcasing a host country's culture and values. The lineup of internationally renowned artists reflects the organizers' goal of creating a ceremony that celebrates unity, diversity, and the power of the human spirit through music and performance.

The details

The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony will take place on February 6th at the San Siro Olympic Stadium. The live coverage on NBC will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern time. In addition to the previously mentioned performers, Italian-Tunisian rapper Ghali will also take the stage. The ceremony's theme of 'Harmony' aims to create a symbolic space where 'communities come together and transcend boundaries.'

  • The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony will take place on February 6th.
  • Live coverage on NBC will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

The players

Mariah Carey

A U.S.-born pop star who has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide and won five Grammys. This will be her first time performing at the Olympics.

Andrea Bocelli

An Italian tenor who has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide and has five Grammy nominations. He previously performed at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Turin Olympics.

Cecilia Bartoli

An Italian mezzo-soprano who has won five Grammys and many other awards. She was appointed director of the Opera de Monte-Carlo in 2003, becoming the first woman to hold that position.

Laura Pausini

An Italian singer who has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide since winning at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1993. She's the first Italian woman to win a Grammy and has also won four Latin Grammys, six World Music Awards, and a Golden Globe.

Lang Lang

A Grammy-nominated pianist from China who is 'credited for ushering classical music back into the 21st century.' He previously performed at the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Games.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The highly anticipated Opening Ceremony will set the stage for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which are expected to draw athletes and spectators from around the world.

The takeaway

The star-studded lineup of performers for the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony reflects the global reach and cultural significance of the Games, as the host country aims to create a unifying and memorable event that celebrates the power of music, art, and human connection.