American singer Mariah Carey has been chosen to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
American pop star Mariah Carey will sing at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics (February 6-22, 2026), the organizing committee announced on Monday.
The 56-year-old singer, who will perform at the San Siro football stadium in Milan on February 6, is the first international star whose name has been revealed. Only one other celebrity has been announced so far: Italian actress Matilda de Angelis.
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“Recognized worldwide for her inimitable voice and a musical work capable of crossing generations and cultures, Mariah Carey fully embodies the emotion that accompanies preparation for the Games”according to the Milano Cortina 2026 press release, which recalls that the theme of the opening ceremony will be “harmony”.
The latter, in addition to San Siro, will take place simultaneously, a first in the history of the Olympic Games, on three other sites hosting events for the 2026 Olympic Games: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno and Predazzo.
At San Siro, where the Inter and AC Milan football teams usually play, more than 60,000 spectators are expected, with tickets ranging from 260 to 2,000 euros.
Few details have filtered so far about the opening ceremony show, which will be “a tribute to the Italian spirit”with figures like Leonardo da Vinci, and “a message of peace for the world”indicated its artistic director Marco Balich in mid-October, already in charge for the ceremonies of the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
The two-and-a-half hour show plans to make a big place for «made in Italy» but also to pay tribute to the stylist Giorgio Armani, Milanese and sports fan, who died in September.
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“The opening ceremony of Milan-Cortina 2026, created by Balich Wonder Studio, will be a unique experience: a great collective union that combines the Italian spirit, innovation, emotion and the participation of internationally renowned artists”promises Monday’s press release.
