Mariah Carey. A dancing stovetop espresso maker. The Winter Olympics kicked off in Italy on Friday with all that and more. Milan's San Siro Stadium played the role of primary host. But, in the spirit of these unusually widespread Games,

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics officially get underway on Friday, February 6, with the Opening Ceremony, which features the flag bearers from every participating country making the march alongside the country’s flag and their countrymates who will be

There are few opportunities to mount an event of this scale, but the Olympics host country showed what it was made of through performances by Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Sabrina Impacciatore.

Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian opera singer, previously sang the song during his final public performance at the 2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Turin. Because of his health issues, the song was pre-recorded and lip-synced.

The unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Milan Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture has started.

What it was like to be in San Siro Stadium to kick off the Winter Games