The International Olympic Committee has scheduled an online roundtable with Marco Balich, the Creative Director behind the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony.
The live interview will take place on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, giving journalists and fans a chance to hear directly from Balich about the event’s concept, its ambitious “Armonia” (harmony) theme, and the unique experience planned for athletes and viewers alike .
Balich will explain how the ceremony will embody the Games’ multi‑centred model, linking the urban stage in Milan with the alpine venues of Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. For the first time in Olympic history, athletes will be able to share a single, seamless opening experience across four distinct locations, connected in real time through a blend of technology and choreography .
Viewers can look forward to a star‑studded musical lineup that includes pop icon Mariah Carey, tenor Andrea Bocelli and Italian legend Laura Pausini, with additional appearances by actors such as Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore and Matilde De Angelis . The performances will be interwoven with the Parade of Nations and visual spectacles that showcase the four host territories.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to kick off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, 6 February 2026 at Milan’s San Siro stadium. Preliminary competitions (curling, ice‑hockey and freestyle skiing) actually begin two days earlier, on 4 February 2026, and the Games will run through to 22 February 2026.