Within a vast rehearsal tent situated near Milan's iconic San Siro stadium, a remarkable transformation is taking place. Classically trained dancers from the prestigious La Scala academy are meticulously practising movements that emulate Nordic walkers and figure skaters. This intensive preparation forms part of the opening number for the highly anticipated Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony, scheduled for February 6, 2026.
A Monumental Volunteer Effort
These young performers are just a fraction of the approximately 1,200 dedicated volunteers who have been committed to rehearsals since November. The cavernous tent, large enough to replicate the actual stage dimensions, has provided a crucial practice space. This has been especially vital as Italian Serie A football recently concluded its final matches before the legendary stadium undergoes its conversion into a premier Olympic venue.
Over the coming fortnight, rehearsals will intensify dramatically, escalating to around nine hours per day. This gruelling schedule is all in pursuit of capturing the profound emotion that defines the Olympic Games, aiming to create what is often described as the most widely viewed moment of the entire event. An estimated 60,000 spectators are expected to witness the ceremony live at San Siro, including a distinguished U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, while millions more across the globe will tune in via official broadcasters.
The Creative Vision Behind the Spectacle
"The preparation of the Olympic ceremony is a very complicated journey but also an exhilarating journey, because you get to meet all these volunteers, dance classes, normal people," explained Marco Balich, the creative director for the Milan Cortina opening ceremony. Balich brings unparalleled experience, having produced a record sixteen Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.
His volunteer corps is notably diverse, including his local butcher, the head of his office, and even an 88-year-old widow. "And all of them join in to create something for the nation, for the joy of being part of a huge event like the Olympics," Balich told The Associated Press during an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
A Ceremony of 'Harmony' in Turbulent Times
The overarching theme for this year's opening ceremony is "Harmony," a message imbued with particular significance against a backdrop of global instability and conflict affecting populations from Ukraine to Gaza to Iran. Balich emphasised the renewed urgency of the ancient Olympic Truce, a concept revived in the 1990s, which seeks to promote peace and dialogue through sport by ceasing hostilities for a week before the Olympics and a week after the Paralympics conclude on March 15.
"In this moment, where forces and bullies are predominant, I think it's very important for all of us to embrace the values that the Olympics represents, which is to compete respectfully and peacefully between all the countries and nations, summarised in the title 'Harmony,'" Balich stated.
Star-Studded Performances and Italian Flair
Balich's production will proudly showcase Italian excellence and creativity, with a nod to Milan's status as a global fashion capital. While some surprises are being closely guarded, several key performances have been confirmed. The ceremony will feature US pop icon Mariah Carey, crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, Italian singer Laura Pausini, and renowned concert pianist Lang Lang.
Alongside these artistic highlights, the ceremony will adhere to traditional Olympic protocol, including the unveiling of the Olympic rings, the grand parade of athletes, and the climactic lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
An Unprecedented Dual Cauldron Lighting
In a historic first for the Olympic Games, two cauldrons will be lit, inspired by the geometric studies of Leonardo da Vinci. One will be situated in Milan at the Arco della Pace, approximately four kilometres from San Siro, while the other will be located in Cortina, some five hours and 400 kilometres away. Maria Laura Iascone, Director of Ceremonies, has promised some "Olympic magic" to facilitate the flame's transfer over these extraordinary distances.
This dual lighting underscores the fact that the 2026 Games are the most geographically dispersed in Olympic history. To ensure athletes competing in far-flung venues near the Swiss and Austrian borders can participate, the Parade of Athletes will be broadcast live from three additional locations, including Cortina.
"This event will bring a lot of this magic and images. We keep a balance between the protocol moments that will be, let's say, serious, very precise, and also moments where emotion will be brought through the participation of key roles and people," Iascone elaborated.
Behind the Scenes: Costumes and Commitment
The rehearsal tent is a hive of activity beyond the mock stage. It houses an enormous wardrobe room containing 1,400 costumes, some rendered in bright, broadcast-friendly Technicolor tones. A dedicated corner is reserved for seamstresses and tailors to make final adjustments. A sign on the door warmly greets performers: "Your Happy Moment Starts Now! Welcome!"
For volunteer Fostis Siadimas, an amateur dancer now living in Milan, the sentiment needs no explanation. This marks his second opening ceremony as a volunteer performer, having previously participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in his native Athens as a 20-year-old. He eagerly answered the casting call for this event.
"The last few moments before entering the stadium, it's an experience, one of the best of my life, ever," Siadimas reflected, capturing the profound personal significance that underpins this vast collective endeavour.
