Tomorrow night, February 6, the eyes of the world turn to Italy as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics kick off with an Opening Ceremony lineup that is nothing short of legendary. Under the evocative theme of ‘Armonia’ (Harmony), pop royalty and operatic legends alike are set to take the stage at the San Siro Stadium. Before the first torch is lit, here is your guide to the celebrities and performers making history at the 2026 games.
1. Mariah Carey
Iconic American pop-singer, Mariah Carey, was the first performer announced to be joining the 2026 Olympic Opening ceremony line-up. Carey has won 5 Grammy awards, recorded 19 No. 1 hits, and is listed by Billboard as the fourth-greatest recording artist of all time. The Olympic committee selected her to anchor the theme of ‘Harmony,’ stating: “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the games.”
2. Andrea Bocceli
Twenty years after closing the 2006 Turin Games, internationally renowned tenor singer Andrea Bocelli makes a triumphant return to the Olympic stage. With over 90 million albums sold and 5 Grammy nominations to his name, Bocelli’s performance at the San Siro Stadium will blend classical music with the emotional energy of the Winter Games.
3. Pierfrancesco Favino
Acclaimed Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino serves as the ceremony’s narrator, joining violinist Giovanni Zanon for a theatrical performance that anchors the night’s story. He is recognizable for his roles in blockbusters like World War Z, Angels & Demons, and recently for his role alongside Angelina Jolie in Maria, but will be trading the screen for the stage at the San Siro. Rather than singing, Favino will bring the ‘Italian Spirit’ to life through a powerful, evocative spoken-word script.
4. Sabrina Impacciatore
Sabrina Impacciatore is an Italian actress who gained international recognition when she starred as the fiery hotel manager in The White Lotus Season 2, which she received an Emmy nomination for. Representing the ‘spirit’ of the Games, she will join fellow actors Pierfrancesco Favino and Matilda De Angelis in a central storytelling segment. Together, this powerful trio will narrate a celebration of Italian identity.
5. Laura Pausini
With a legendary career spanning over 30 years, Laura Pausini is undoubtedly the Queen of Italian Pop. Since shooting to stardom at the 1993 Sanremo Music Festival, she has sold over 75 million albums and made history as the first Italian woman to win a Grammy Award. A global icon with a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination to her name, Pausini returns to the Olympic opening ceremony to embody the central theme of Harmony, bridging Italian tradition with international stardom.
6. Ghali
Few artists represent the balance of Harmony better than Ghali, a Milan native with Tunisian roots, who raps in Italian, French, and Arabic. Ghali isn’t defined as just an Italian star; his global reach includes collaborations with artists such as Stormzy, Travis Scott, and Ed Sheeran, making him a recognizable name for international viewers. Often called the ‘voice of multicultural Italy,’ Ghali has been tasked with interpreting the ‘New Italian Spirit’ through a cross-disciplinary performance that connects the country’s rich traditions with its vibrant future.
6. Lang Lang and Cecilia Bartoli
Returning to the stage eighteen years after his iconic performance at the Beijing 2008 Opening ceremony, Chinese pianist Lang Lang is set to dazzle at the San Siro. Having sold millions of album copies and performing for Monarch’s and Heads of State around the globe, Lang Lang is acclaimed as one of the most famous and talented pianists alive. He will join forces with world-renowned Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli for a highly anticipated performance, blending his virtuosic flair with the deep traditions of Italian Opera.
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