Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: Schedule & Star Performers Revealed!

The quest for Olympic gold is on.

While the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics began their competitions on Wednesday, the grand Opening Ceremony is set for this afternoon.

The elaborate event will take place at the historic San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, which is celebrating its centenary. The ceremony has been crafted by Marco Balich, a seasoned creative director with 16 Olympic ceremonies under his belt.

“The key to a memorable ceremony is to convey a meaningful message through simple, relatable concepts,” he recently shared with the New York Times.

This year, for the first time, the ceremony will conclude with the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons, one in Milan and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Keep reading to find out how you can enjoy the spectacle from your home and when to watch for Team USA’s entrance.

Schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics will be broadcast on NBC on Monday, Feb. 6, at 1:40 p.m. ET, and is anticipated to last about three hours.

Viewing Options for the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

If you’re without a cable subscription, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to watch the ceremony live for free.

A great budget-friendly choice is Sling TV, which offers several flexible plans. NBC is included in Sling’s Select plan, which starts at $19.99 per month, providing you access to your local NBC channel. A one-month subscription to Sling should cover all your Olympics viewing needs, as the games conclude on Feb. 22.

Moreover, Peacock, the official streaming service for the Winter Games, will broadcast thousands of hours of live coverage. (It costs $10.99 per month with ads and $16.99 per month without ads.)

Who is Performing at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?

Mariah Carey, often hailed as the Queen of Christmas, is set to perform at the ceremony. Joining her will be Andrea Bocelli, Sabrina Impacciatore—known for her roles in “The Paper” and “The White Lotus” Season 2—Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

Team USA’s Participation in the Parade of Nations

Greece, as the origin of the Olympics, traditionally leads the parade of nations. The countries then follow alphabetically based on the host country’s language, with three exceptions. Italy, as the host, will march last. France, the host of the 2030 Winter Olympics, will go just before Italy. The United States will be third-to-last, in anticipation of hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Team USA will be represented by flag bearers speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca. As usual, the team will don outfits by Ralph Lauren, and fans can buy similar styles from the brand’s Team USA collection.

2026 Olympics Closing Ceremony Date

The 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics will conclude on Feb. 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

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This article was penned by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Associate Editor for Page Six. Hannah tracks down deals on celebrity-endorsed affordable styles, evaluates celebrity brands, and uncovers the beauty secrets that maintain stars’ red carpet glam. She consults with stylists and industry experts—including the celebrities themselves—to bring firsthand product recommendations, trend forecasts, and more. Besides her contributions to Page Six since 2020, her work has appeared in USA Today and Parade.