Renowned crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli has been confirmed as a marquee performer for the Milan Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony. Scheduled for February 6, the legendary singer will join the previously announced global icon Mariah Carey, as confirmed by event organizers this Sunday.
The 2026 inaugural festivities will be centered in Milan’s historic San Siro stadium. This three-hour extravaganza, featuring the traditional Parade of Athletes and world-class entertainment, is poised to become the most-watched broadcast of the entire Games.
Reflecting the decentralized nature of the Milan Cortina Games—noted as the most geographically spread-out Olympics in history—the ceremony will integrate live segments from three additional locations. This multi-site approach allows athletes stationed in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo to participate in the global celebration via live satellite broadcasts.
A Tribute to Italian Excellence
A poignant highlight of the evening will be a tribute to the late fashion titan Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September at the age of 91. Armani, a cornerstone of Italian haute couture, was the longtime designer of the national team’s Olympic uniforms. His influence remains deeply woven into the fabric of Milan through his namesake theater, the Silos museum, and his sponsorship of the EA7 Emporio Armani Milano basketball team.
Bocelli, whose illustrious career bridges the worlds of opera and contemporary pop, recently released Duets (30th Anniversary), a multi-lingual collection featuring collaborations with artists ranging from Chris Stapleton to Karol G. The tenor is fitting the Olympic performance into a demanding international schedule; he is slated to fly to Columbus, Ohio, the following day to continue his U.S. tour.
Organizers noted that Bocelli’s participation “will serve as one of the event’s most iconic highlights, blending grand spectacle with the core spirit of Olympic values.” They added that his presence provides a “sophisticated and global perspective to the narrative.”
A Star-Studded Production
The ceremony is being helmed by Marco Balich, a veteran producer with more than a dozen Olympic ceremonies to his credit. While Carey brings American pop prestige to the San Siro stage, she isn’t the only star on the roster. Italian actresses Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus) and Matilde De Angelis (The Law According to Lidia Poët) are also set to appear.
With an expected live audience of 60,000 and millions more watching worldwide, the event promises to be a cultural landmark. Following the competition, the Games will conclude on February 22 at Verona’s ancient Roman Arena, with a headline performance by world-renowned ballet star Roberto Bolle.
