The Best Photos from the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan
- - The Best Photos from the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Milan
Brendan LeFebruary 6, 2026 at 11:15 PM
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Dancers performing during the opening ceremony
Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty
The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially begun!
Held in Milan, the 2026 games will bring together the world's top athletes in sports like figure skating, snowboarding, skiing and more for two and a half weeks. On Feb. 6, a grand opening ceremony kicked off the international athletic event, featuring plenty of sparkle and spectacle.
Ahead, see the best photos from the opening ceremony, including Mariah Carey performing "Volare" and her song "Nothing Is Impossible" and Vittoria Ceretti handing off the Italian flag.
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Angel of Our Dreams
Cupid and Psyche played by Claudio Coviello and Antonella Albano
Elsa/Getty
Two dancers portraying the Roman mythological figures Cupid and Psyche lead a tribute to Italian beauty at the beginning of the ceremony.
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Paint the Town
Dancers to the motto "Armonia"
Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty
The show bursts into color as dancers perform under the ceremony's theme of "Armonia."
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Sparks Fly
Matilda De Angelis
Gregory Shamus/Getty
Italian actress and singer Matilda De Angelis, who stars in the upcoming remake of Dracula, conducts performers dressed in black and white from head to toe.
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Hand Outs
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian design
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty
Actors donning bright monochromatic costumes parade around the stage in an orderly fashion.
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Take a Rainbow
Performers during the oepning ceremony
Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty
Performers created a spectacle in rainbow-colored ensembles.
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Mimi in Milan
Mariah Carey
Sarah Stier/Getty
Mariah Carey covers the classic Italian song "Volare" and sings her 2025 song "Nothing Is Impossible" to a sea of lights.
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The Sound of Music
Performers during the opening ceremony
Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Images via Getty
Performers gave a nod to Italy's rich history of classical music.
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Defying Gravity
Aerialists
Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty
As the trademark Olympic rings start to form, aerialists take to the skies for an airborne performance.
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Put a Ring on It
Olympic rings
WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty
The iconic five rings of the Olympics shoot out fireworks.
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Full of Heart
Laura Pausini
Sarah Stier/Getty
Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini performs the national anthem.
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The Long Walk
Vittoria Ceretti
Maja Hitij/Getty
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, who is currently dating Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio, walks the Italian flag down the stage...
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Pass the Flag
Vittoria Ceretti
Gregory Shamus/Getty
...to give to a member of the Corazzieri.
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O, Canada
Team Canada
Cameron Spencer/Getty
Freestyle skiers Marielle Thompson and Mikaël Kingsbury carry the Canadian flag as the team — the second-largest this Olympics — enters.
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USA! USA!
Team USA
Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP via Getty
Team USA, led by gold medal-winning speed skater Erin Jackson, arrives with its largest crew of Winter Olympians ever.
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Throw My Hands Up in the Air
Sabrina Impacciatore and dancers
WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty
The Paper and White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore leads a group of dancers in a routine paying homage to the Winter Olympics' history on its 100th year.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
