Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Kicks Off Today in Milan
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially commence today, Friday 6 February, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony that heralds the start of two weeks of elite winter sports competition. The ceremony, themed 'Harmony', will celebrate the dual host cities of Milan and Cortina, the latter of which previously hosted the Games in 1956.
Ceremony Details and Historic Venue
The main event will be held at Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium, marking one of the final major occasions at this historic venue before its planned demolition. However, due to the geographically dispersed nature of these Games across northern Italy, additional athlete parades will also occur in the mountain clusters, including Cortina, which hosts curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events.
How to Watch the Opening Ceremony Live
Viewers in the United Kingdom have multiple options to catch the ceremony live. The ceremony itself begins at 7:00 PM GMT. TNT Sports and the streaming service discovery+ will provide comprehensive coverage, starting their broadcast and build-up from 5:30 PM GMT. Alternatively, the BBC will air the ceremony on BBC Two, with coverage running from 6:30 PM GMT until 10:00 PM GMT.
Star-Studded Lineup of Performers
The ceremony will feature an impressive array of international stars alongside the athletes. Headlining the event is global pop icon Mariah Carey, though it remains unconfirmed whether she will perform her classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" or a well-known Italian song, as rumours suggest.
Joining her is the celebrated Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who returns to the Olympic stage after performing at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Games in Turin. Bocelli, a five-time Grammy nominee, is renowned for his operatic career.
Also returning to the Olympics is Grammy-nominated pianist Lang Lang, acclaimed for revitalising classical music. He previously performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Games. Additionally, Snoop Dogg, serving as Team USA's first honorary coach and part of NBC's coverage team, will make a special appearance.
This grand opening sets the stage for an exciting fortnight of competition, blending sport, culture, and entertainment in a unique celebration of winter athletics.
