At a Glance
- The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is rehearsing in a tent beside San Siro Stadium.
- 1,200 volunteers, including dancers, tailors, and an 88-year-old widow, are practicing for the Feb. 6 ceremony.
- The event will feature two cauldrons, a record 16 Olympic ceremonies, and performances by Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and others.
- Why it matters: The rehearsal showcases how the Games aim to unite a world facing conflict, while the elaborate staging sets the tone for a historic, globally viewed moment.
The massive tent beside Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium has become the heart of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony rehearsals. Inside, classically trained dancers from La Scala’s academy mimic Nordic walkers and figure skaters, preparing for the Feb. 6 opening number. The tent, large enough to mark the actual stage, has hosted rehearsals since November while Serie A soccer wrapped up its final matches.
Rehearsals in a Tent
The tent is more than a stage; it houses a mock set, a wardrobe room with 1,400 costumes, and a corner for seamstresses and tailors to make final adjustments. A sign on the door reads, “Your Happy Moment Starts Now! Welcome!” The atmosphere is electric, as volunteers line up to step onto the stage and feel the weight of the moment.
“The preparation of the Olympic ceremony is a very complicated journey but also an exhilarating journey,” said opening ceremony creative director Marco Balich. He told Isaac Y. Thornwell during a rare behind-the-scenes tour. Balich, who has produced 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies, emphasized the joy volunteers feel when they contribute to a national event.
Volunteer Cast
The volunteer roster is diverse: a butcher, a head of his office, an 88-year-old widow, and even an amateur dancer living in Milan. Among them is Fostis Siadimas, who has performed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. “The last few moments before entering the stadium is an experience, one of the best of my life, ever,” Siadimas said.
- Butcher – Balich’s personal contact.
- Office head – Manages logistics for volunteers.
- 88-year-old widow – Represents the older generation.
- Fostis Siadimas – Second-time Olympic volunteer.
The volunteers are not only performers; they also handle choreography, costume fitting, and technical support. Over the next two weeks, rehearsals will increase to nine hours a day, all in pursuit of Olympic emotion for what is billed as the most viewed moment of the Games.
The Big Picture
The opening ceremony is expected to attract 60,000 people live in San Siro, including a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance. Millions around the world will watch on official broadcasters. The theme, “Harmony,” is especially potent amid global conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza to Iran.
Balich highlighted the Olympic Truce, an ancient concept revived in the 1990s, which calls for a week of peace before the Games and a week after the Paralympics. “In this moment, where forces and bullies are predominant, I think it’s very important for all of us to embrace the values that the Olympics represents,” he said.
Cauldrons and Logistics
One of the most striking features is the presence of two cauldrons. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric studies, one is located at the Arco della Pace, about 2½ miles from San Siro, and the other in Cortina, roughly 5 hours and 400 km away.
Maria Laura Iascone, director of ceremonies, promised “Olympic magic” to transfer the flame over the final legs, given the extraordinary distances involved. The dual cauldron lighting illustrates that the 2026 Games are the most spread out in Olympic history. Athletes from venues near the Swiss and Austrian borders will participate via a live-streamed Parade of Athletes from three other sites, including Cortina.
Performance Lineup
The ceremony will feature a mix of announced and protocol-prescribed performances:
- Mariah Carey – U.S. pop star.
- Andrea Bocelli – Crossover tenor.
- Cecilia Bartoli – Mezzo-soprano.
- Laura Pausini – Italian singer.
- Lang Lang – Concert pianist.
Protocol-required moments include the unveiling of the Olympic rings, the parade of athletes, and the lighting of the cauldrons.
Olympic Truce and Harmony
Balich stressed that the Truce aims to promote peace and dialogue through sport. “I think it’s very important for all of us to embrace the values that the Olympics represents, which is to compete respectfully and peacefully between all the countries and nations,” he said.
The ceremony will also showcase Italian excellence and creativity, including nods to Milan’s status as a fashion capital. Iascone hinted at surprise elements that will preserve the magic of the event.
In the weeks ahead, the tent will become a hive of activity as volunteers, choreographers, designers, and technicians fine-tune every detail. The goal is clear: deliver an opening ceremony that embodies the Olympic spirit of unity, peace, and awe.
Key Takeaways
- The rehearsal tent is a microcosm of the entire ceremony, housing 1,400 costumes and a large mock stage.
- 1,200 volunteers from all walks of life are shaping the event, bringing authenticity and passion.
- Two cauldrons and a dual-location flame transfer highlight the unprecedented spread of the 2026 Games.
- The theme “Harmony” reflects the global context and the Olympic Truce’s call for peace.
- Star performers and protocol moments will blend to create a moment watched by millions worldwide.
As the countdown to Feb. 6 continues, the world watches the rehearsals in the tent beside San Siro Stadium, eager to see how Milan will set the stage for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
