2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony facts for kids
| Part of 2026 Winter Olympics | |
San Siro hosted the opening ceremony.
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| Date | 6 February 2026 |
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| Time | 20:00 - 23:29 CET (UTC+1) |
| Venue | San Siro, Livigno, Predazzo and streets of Cortina d'Ampezzo |
| Location | Milan, Italy |
| Also known as | Armonia (Harmony) |
| Filmed by | Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) |
The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony was a spectacular event held on February 6, 2026. It began at 8:00 PM Central European Time and finished at 11:29 PM. This special ceremony took place in four different locations across Italy: at San Siro stadium in Milan, in Livigno, Predazzo, and on the streets of Cortina d'Ampezzo. This was the first time an Olympic opening ceremony was spread across so many places in the host country!
The ceremony followed the rules of the Olympic Charter. It featured an amazing artistic show that highlighted the culture of Italy. The main theme of the evening was harmony, bringing people together. A highlight was the parade of athletes, where sports stars from around the world marched. The ceremony also included the exciting lighting of the Olympic cauldrons.
Sergio Mattarella, the President of Italy, officially opened the Games. This was also the first Winter Olympics opening ceremony under the leadership of Kirsty Coventry, the IOC President. The ceremony lasted 3 hours and 29 minutes, making it the longest opening ceremony in Winter Olympics history.
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Music and Anthems at the Ceremony
During the opening ceremony, important anthems were performed. These songs are a key part of Olympic traditions.
The National Anthem of Italy was sung by Laura Pausini.
The Olympic Anthem was performed by Cecilia Bartoli and Lang Lang.
Watching the Ceremony Around the World
The opening ceremony was broadcast globally. Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) filmed the event. They shared the live footage with TV channels worldwide. This allowed millions of people to watch the exciting start of the Games.
Important Guests at the Opening Ceremony
Many important people attended the opening ceremony. They came to celebrate the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Leaders of the Olympic Movement
IOC – Kirsty Coventry, who is the President of the International Olympic Committee.
IPC – Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee.
Italian Hosts and Officials
- Italy –
- Sergio Mattarella, the President of Italy.
- Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy.
- Giuseppe Sala, the Mayor of Milan.
- Gianluca Lorenzi, the Mayor of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
International Representatives
Many important leaders and representatives from countries and international organizations all over the world were present. They joined in the celebration of sports and international friendship. These guests included heads of state, government officials, and members of royal families, showing global support for the Olympic Games.
 | DeHart Hubbard |
 | Wilma Rudolph |
 | Jesse Owens |
 | Jackie Joyner-Kersee |
 | Major Taylor |
