2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Recap And How To Watch Replay
A firework display is seen at the Arco della Pace after the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026.
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Though some events were held on Feb. 4 and 5, the Winter Olympics is now officially underway following the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening, which ended with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron in Milan (by Italian Alpine skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (by Italian ski racer Sofia Goggia).
It was the first time two Olympic Cauldrons have been lit to open a Games. But this is also the first time the Olympics has had two host cities.
The Opening Ceremony topped three hours and included dance and vocal performances, the Parade of Nations, speeches from new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry and President of Italy Sergio Mattarella and, of course, the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.
If you missed the broadcast live, here are some of the highlights, as well as how to catch the replay Friday night on NBC.
Italian ballet dancers Antonella Albano and Claudio Coviello perform during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
Cupid and Psyche Ballet
Ballet dancers featured at the start of the Opening Ceremony in a performance inspired by the work of Italian sculptor Antonio Canova.
Cupid and Psyche, portrayed by Italian ballet dancers Claudio Coviello and Antonella Albano, were at the center of the number, which incorporated modern dance and beautiful practical effects such as lit glass boxes.
US singer Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
Mariah Carey Performs In English And Italian
Fans were looking forward to global superstar Mariah Carey singing in Italian in the Opening Ceremony, and when the lights came up to reveal her on the stage, it was to resounding cheers inside Milan’s San Siro stadium.
Carey opened with a cover of Italian song “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modugno followed by her original song “Nothing Is Impossible.”
Carey glittered in a white bejeweled gown, wearing a diamond butterfly ring on her finger. However, the obvious lip synching along to a prerecorded track detracted somewhat from the power of her performance.
Spain’s flag bearer Olivia Smart parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
Olympic Rings Illuminated
The Olympic rings, which represent the union of the five inhabited continents (Africa, Asia, America, Oceania, and Europe) and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world for the Games, were hoisted into the air and joined together as fireworks went off.
Sabrina Impacciatore performs a musical during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Getty Images
Sabrina Impacciatore Travels Back in Time
Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, known in the U.S. for her roles in White Lotus and The Paperhighlighted a performance meant to celebrate 100 years of the Winter Olympics, from 1924 in Chamonix, France, to today.
Flagbearer Erin Jackson of Team United States leads the team in the parade during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Getty Images
Parade of Nations
While the culture of the host city has an important role to play in the Opening Ceremony, ultimately, we’re all here for the athletes.
While the majority of athletes featured in the Parade of Nations were based in Milan, there were satellite parades in Cortina (where Snoop Dogg was based), Predazzo (at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium and Livigno (Livigno Snow Park). The U.S. had the largest delegation, with more than 230 athletes, followed by Canada with 210 and Italy with 196.
In Milan, the Ukraine contingent received an enormous ovation from the crowd. While the U.S. athletes were applauded, Vice President JD Vance received some boos and jeers from the crowd.
Following the Parade of Nations, Coventry and Mattarella gave speeches welcoming the athletes and highlighting the goals of both the IOC and host nation Italy.
Andrea Bocelli perform during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Stadio San Siro on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Getty Images
Andrea Bocelli Sings Puccini
If Mariah Carey is one of the world’s most famous sopranos, with her five-octave vocal range, there’s no question Italian Andrea Bocelli is one of, if not the, world’s most famous tenor.
Bocelli performed a moving rendition of “Nessun dorma,” an aria from Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
How to Watch the Opening Ceremony Replay
Date: Friday, Feb. 6
Time: 8 pm ET
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, NBC app, NBC Sports app
Following the conclusion of the live Opening Ceremony broadcast, a primetime encore broadcast will re-air on NBC Friday night.
Now that the Opening Ceremony has concluded, it’s on to competitions. Here’s how you can watch every medal event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Games, and you can find the full schedule at NBCOlympics.com. Curious for more behind-the-scenes content? These are the most viral moments from the Olympic Villages so far.
