Mariah Carey is Headlining the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
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Mariah Carey will headline the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, promising an unforgettable, iconic performance. The "Queen of Christmas," will take the stage on February 6, 2026, at the Stadio San Siro in Milan.
This will be the first time in her career that the Grammy winner will perform at an Olympic Opening Ceremony. The announcement, made just as her "All I Want for Christmas Is You" enters its peak season, brings the pop-star to the Olympic Games.
The Theme of Armonia
The Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee emphasized that Carey "fully represents the emotional atmosphere" accompanying the Games. Her participation is intended to align with the ceremony's central theme: Armonia, or Harmony. Inspired by the Greek word for “bringing together,” the show blends art, innovation, nature, city, and culture.
Music unites all, and Mariah Carey’s iconic performance will elevate the inaugural evening of the Milano-Cortina Games. With a crowd of 60,000 spectators for the San Siro, her appearance will set an unforgettable start to the Games.
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A Global Celebration
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be a widespread affair, utilizing a "multi-centered" model across northern Italy. The Opening Ceremony, produced by the acclaimed Balich Wonder Studio, will be a shared experience. Though the main event is at San Siro, the Olympic spirit will extend far beyond the stadium.
- Multi-Venue Parades: Athletes who cannot travel to Milan due to their event schedules will still be included. Simultaneous ceremonies and athlete parades are planned for the mountain clusters in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
- Dual Cauldrons: For the first time, the Olympic flame will burn in two locations: Milan’s Arco della Pace and Cortina’s Piazza Dibona.
The games will feature 116 medal events in 16 disciplines, including new events like ski mountaineering. Mariah Carey’s inclusion highlights Milano-Cortina 2026’s ambition to be a cultural and athletic event.
