The Arrival of the Olympic Flame
The Olympic flame touched down in Milan on 5 February and was transferred to San Siro stadium for the opening ceremonies the following day. Two permanent cauldrons will later be lit – one at Milan’s Arco della Pace and another in Piazza Dibona in downtown Cortina – while the flame will also be present at the Verona Arena for the closing ceremony.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
Directed by Maria Laura Iascone and creative director Marco Balich, the opening ceremony embraced the theme “Harmony”, symbolising the union of city and mountains, nature and humanity. Unlike previous Games, the ceremony will be staged in multiple venues – Milan, Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo – allowing athletes competing the next day to participate fully.
Key elements include:
- Homage to Italian icons such as Leonardo da Vinci, Christopher Columbus and fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
- Spectacular lighting, choreography and music designed for a global audience of hundreds of millions.
- Approximately 4,000 participants, including extras, technicians, designers and volunteers.
Closing Ceremony in Verona Arena
The closing ceremony on 22 February will be held at the historic Verona Arena, the world’s oldest sports stadium. Titled “Beauty in Motion”, the show will celebrate Italian excellence and the legacy of the Milano‑Cortina bid.
More than 800 performers, musicians, dancers and technicians will create a stage that showcases the arena as you have never seen it, according to creative director Alfredo Accatino.
Design of the 2026 Olympic Torch
The 2026 torch features a sleek, metallic silhouette with a narrow, slightly curved body that draws attention to the flame itself. Its minimalist design minimizes visual impact while emphasizing the fire’s symbolism.
Torchbearers and Relay
Over 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame across Italy, a mix of volunteers, celebrated Olympic athletes and a few celebrities such as Jackie Chan and actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams.
The relay arrived in Cortina on 26 January, marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Italian Winter Games, and will culminate at San Siro for the opening ceremony.
Legacy and Future
The dual‑cauldron format and multi‑venue ceremonies set a precedent for future Games, showcasing how dispersed locations can create inclusive, logistically flexible spectacles. The handover at the Verona closing ceremony will pass the torch to the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.