The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin today, Friday 6 February, and will run until 22 February. This is the 25th edition of the Winter Games and the third hosted by Italy, after Cortina 1956 and Turin 2006. For the first time in Olympic history, the Games adopt a fully decentralised and multi-regional model, involving two cities and three regions.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight at San Siro stadium, renamed the Milan San Siro Olympic Stadium for the occasion. Milan awoke to a city under tight security, while the Olympic machine is already fully operational. Some competitions, including curling and ice hockey, began earlier this week, with additional events starting today, from figure skating to curling, alongside training sessions for alpine skiing and snowboarding.

Titled “Harmony”, the opening ceremony aims to explore the dialogue between art and innovation, nature and city life, tradition and the future. Lasting around three hours, the event will extend beyond San Siro, with symbolic connections to the Arch of Peace in Milan and the Olympic venues of Predazzo, Livigno and Cortina d’Ampezzo. For the first time ever, the Parade of Nations will take place simultaneously in multiple locations.

A central moment of the evening will be the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons - another historic first - located at the Arch of Peace in Milan and in Piazza Angelo Dibona in Cortina. Performers include Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Cecilia Bartoli and pianist Lang Lang, alongside actors Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore and Matilda De Angelis. Rapper Ghali is also confirmed.

Around 50 world leaders are expected to attend. Italy will be represented by President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and senior institutional figures. Among international guests is US Vice President J.D. Vance, who will meet Meloni earlier in the day. Security is a key focus, with a massive deployment of military personnel, law enforcement, air defence systems and Alpine volunteers.

Protests are also planned, including demonstrations against the presence of ICE in Milan and a symbolic protest against Israel’s participation in the Games. On the sporting side, nine Italian athletes compete today in figure skating and curling, while around 1,000 athletes will parade in Cortina. Ghali’s participation remains controversial, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi confirming the artist will not express political views on stage.