Breaking: Mariah Carey to headline the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games opening ceremony
Global pop icon Mariah Carey has been confirmed as the lead performer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Organizers announced the news ahead of the event date, promising a high-profile kickoff for the Olympic festivity.
The show is slated for february 6 at San Siro in Milan, a venue famed for hosting football giants Inter and AC Milan. The ceremony will mark the official start of a Games run that lasts from February 6 to February 22, with athletic celebrations spreading across several venues in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme.
Carey, now 56, has a history of performing at major sporting spectacles. She previously sang the United States national anthem at the Super Bowl in 2002 and performed at the NBA All-Star Game in 2003. She also delivered a performance at the 2020 US Open women’s final.
She joins a growing list of pop icons who have headlined Olympic openings in recent years, following in the footsteps of Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, who performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games |
| Date | February 6, 2026 |
| Venue | San siro Stadium, Milan |
| Performer | Mariah Carey |
| Games span | February 6-22, 2026 |
| Additional venues for ceremonies | Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, valtellina, Val di Fiemme |
| Notable past appearances | Super Bowl XLI national anthem (2002); NBA All-Star Game (2003); 2020 US Open final performance |
As organizers gear up for a multi-venue celebration, the opening ceremony is expected to blend conventional ceremony elements with contemporary performance artistry, continuing a trend of music-lead openings that aim to captivate a global audience.
What song would you hope Carey performs to kick off the Games, and which future artist would you like to see headline the next Olympic opening?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for more updates as the date approaches.
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