Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony: Marco Balich Unveils 'Armonia'

With just 16 days to go until the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Marco Balich, Creative Lead of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, shared his vision and key details about the Ceremony, scheduled for 6 February at 8:00 p.m. at the iconic San Siro Stadium. The greatest show on earth Described as “the greatest show on earth”, the Opening Ceremony is built around the concept of “Armonia” — a deeply Italian value carrying a powerful and universal message of peace, unity and dialogue. Athletes will be at the heart of the ceremony, taking center stage across four different locations (Milano, Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno), reinforcing the symbolism of unity and dialogue between city and mountains, technology and humanity. More than 1,200 volunteers will take part in the live performances, bringing contemporary symphonic compositions to life and showcasing amazing costumes inspired by Italy’s artistic heritage. Marco Balich: "We want to offer a message of harmony, beauty and peace that can be understood by everyone" “The Opening Ceremony is not about technology or spectacle alone,” said Marco Balich. “It is about people, emotion and humanity. In a complex world, we want to offer a message of harmony, beauty and peace that can be understood by everyone.” The ambition is to create epic and emotional moments that will be remembered long after the Games, beyond technical innovation. “Beauty is not only about aesthetics” he added, but about values, kindness, generosity and true beauty within. The two Cauldrons One of the Ceremony’s memorable elements will be the Olympic Cauldrons. For the first time in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Flame will burn simultaneously in two different locations: Milano (Arco della Pace) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (Piazza Angelo Dibona). Inspired by Italian design excellence and Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric studies, they have been conceived as “dynamic cauldrons that will perform every day”, coming to life through “movement and epic music” to create a powerful emotional experience for spectators. A celebration of people, art and culture, the Opening Ceremony will feature internationally renowned artists alongside some of Italy’s most iconic voices, including Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini. Marco Balich also revealed that “Mariah Carey will be singing in Italian”, turning the stadium into a shared, collective moment. As he promised, “the entire stadium will be singing along.” The vision carried forward by Balich Wonder Studio This vision is carried forward by Balich Wonder Studio, supported by a new generation of young creative directors, delivering a “fresh interpretation of the Olympic Opening Ceremony”, rooted in Italian culture while speaking to a diverse global audience. Building on Italy’s strong Olympic broadcast legacy, from Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956, the first Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony ever broadcasted live, to Torino 2006, the Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2006 promises to be an extraordinary and unforgettable event with hundreds of millions of viewers tuned in. Limited tickets for the Opening Ceremony Limited tickets for the Opening Ceremony are still available (at this link), offering the public a unique opportunity to witness one of the most anticipated moments of the Olympic Winter Games.