The Winter Olympics kicked off on Wednesday, while the opening ceremony for the Milan-Cortina Games is set for this afternoon.
Known as “Armonia” (Harmony), the ceremony will feature a show designed by Marco Baric, who has previous experience with 15 Olympic ceremonies. He shared with an Italian publication that the event showcases the essence of “Made in Italy,” focusing on “simplicity and authenticity.” It’s a big production, involving over 1,300 performers, 182 unique designs, more than 1,400 costumes, along with over 1,500 pairs of shoes, and a team of 110 makeup artists and 70 hairstylists working behind the scenes.
Here’s what to know about the ceremony:
- When: February 6th, 1:40 PM ET
- Where: San Siro, Milan, Italy
- Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Available on Peacock
The ceremony promises to be memorable, with the Olympic torch lit by two separate individuals—one in each host city, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Interestingly, the designs of both torches draw inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s work.
If you’re eager to catch the event live, don’t forget to check Peacock for streaming options.
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony – What to Expect
Today’s opening ceremony will commence at 1:40 PM ET, expected to last around two hours.
How to Stream for Free
No cable? No problem. Live TV streaming services provide options to watch the ceremony for free. DIRECTV offers a noteworthy five-day free trial, which includes NBC and essential channels for the entirety of the Winter Olympics. After that, it’s available for about $49.99 monthly.
Sling TV is another economical choice, starting at $19.99 for their choice plans that also include NBC.
Peacock Streaming Details
Peacock is the go-to platform for streaming the 2026 Olympics, broadcasting extensive live coverage, including all 116 medal events. Subscription plans are available starting at $10.99 per month with ads, or $16.99 without ads. Keep in mind, the Olympics wrap up on February 22nd, giving you a limited window to enjoy.
Who Will Perform?
The Olympics will officially be opened by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Expect performances by Grammy-winning artist Mariah Carey, acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli, actress Sabrina Impacciatore, singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and pianist Lang Lang from China.
Parade of Nations – Team USA’s Participation
Tradition dictates that Greece leads the parade of nations. Other countries will follow, with each entering in alphabetical order based on their Italian names, except for the United States, France, and Italy. France will be the penultimate participant as the host for the upcoming 2030 Winter Olympics, while Team USA will enter just ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics set for Salt Lake City. Erin Jackson, a speed skater, and bobsledder Frank Del Duca will carry the flag for Team USA.
Italy will conclude the parade.
Closing Ceremony Details
The Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina will close on February 22 at 3:00 PM ET, with the closing ceremony also available to stream live on Peacock.
