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The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially set to transform Northern Italy into a global stage this Friday, as the opening ceremonies descend upon Milan’s legendary San Siro Stadium.
In a historic first, the festivities will be widespread, bridging the cosmopolitan energy of Milan with the rugged peaks of Cortina d’Ampezzo. While the San Siro serves as the primary hub, a simultaneous celebration in Cortina’s town center will feature the lighting of a second Olympic cauldron, signaling a new era of co-hosted, inclusive Games.
Spectators can expect a high-fashion affair befitting the world’s style capital, headlined by international icon Mariah Carey and legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. From the high-cachet uniforms of the Parade of Nations to the artistic segments led by Balich Wonder Studio, the production is designed to project a metropolitan spirit across the Alps to an estimated global audience of two billion.
While preliminary rounds for curling and luge are already underway, the real drama lies in the return of major superstars. For the first time since 2014, NHL players are back on Olympic ice, bringing “best-on-best” hockey to the global stage. Meanwhile, 41-year-old skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is attempting a “miracle” comeback; despite a completely ruptured ACL sustained just last week, she plans to compete in a knee brace, declaring, “As long as there’s a chance, I will try.”
For the nearly 2,900 athletes arriving in Italy, the ceremony marks the end of a four-year wait and the beginning of a sixteen-day pursuit of one of the 116 gold medals up for grabs across the Italian landscape.
Follow along for updates throughout the opening ceremony as the 2026 Olympics get underway.
Olympics opening ceremony live updates, highlights from 2026 Winter Games
This section will be updated closer to the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6.
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Olympics opening ceremony start time
- Date: Friday, February 6
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET, 11:00 a.m. PT
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Opening Ceremony officially begins this Friday, February 6, at 8:00 PM local time in Italy. For viewers in the United States, that is 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.
MORE: Full 2026 Winter Games events schedule
How to watch Olympics opening ceremony
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock
The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will air live on NBC, the long-standing home of the Olympic Games.
The NBC broadcast will now be led by veteran play-by-play voice Terry Gannon, who is making his debut as an Opening Ceremony host. He will be joined in the booth by three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, who is providing expert analysis during the Parade of Nations. While NBC has not yet named a direct replacement for Guthrie’s co-hosting seat, Hoda Kotb (serving as a special correspondent) and Craig Melvin are expected to take on expanded roles during the broadcast.
Additionally, Mike Tirico will provide remote contributions from California as he prepares for his Super Bowl 60 assignment this Sunday. The team is rounded out by Maria Taylor and Rebecca Lowe, with actor Stanley Tucci contributing special segments on Italian culture.
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How long is the Olympics opening ceremony?
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is expected to last approximately three hours.
The three-hour duration is the standard Olympic sweet spot, allowing enough time for the artistic performances (this year themed “Armonia”), the parade of nearly 3,000 athletes, the official speeches, and the lighting of the two separate cauldrons in Milan and Cortina.
