Olympics opening ceremony starts with a bang in Milan – All the performances
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Olympics opening ceremony starts with a bang in Milan – All the performances
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY February 7, 2026 at 12:46 AM
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We're definitely in Milan. I mean, we've got fashion! Sports cars! Risotto! And, of course, some Olympians.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games have officially begun with the Feb. 6 Opening Ceremony straight from the heart of Italy.
The extravagant ceremony, a traditional performance/show put on by the host country of every Olympic Games, is taking place at Milan's San Siro Stadium this year, and is set to feature a bevy of celebrity performers, including Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. It will also feature the requisite parade of nations and athletes, proudly bearing flags and coordinated uniforms for their countries.
If you are missing the ceremony live during the work day, NBC will be re-airing it in primetime at 8 ET/PT.
USA TODAY will be watching the ceremony live and updating this review as the spectacle unfolds.
Follow along for the latest updates.
2026 Winter Olympics. Scroll to see the celebrity sightings thus far at the Milano Cortina Games, beginning with Snoop Dogg. The rapper is pictured here throwing a stone on the ice following the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada on Feb. 6, 2026.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Stars have flocked to Italy as some of the world's top athletes compete are set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Scroll to see the celebrity sightings thus far at the Milano Cortina Games, beginning with Snoop Dogg. The rapper is pictured here throwing a stone on the ice following the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada on Feb. 6, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MLAV2d2q6fzrGV_pZDi18Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/623b3470f63ac89300938eb4aba903ea class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Stars have flocked to Italy as some of the world's top athletes compete are set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Scroll to see the celebrity sightings thus far at the Milano Cortina Games, beginning with Snoop Dogg. The rapper is pictured here throwing a stone on the ice following the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada on Feb. 6, 2026.
">Stars have flocked to Italy as some of the world's top athletes compete are set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Scroll to see the celebrity sightings thus far at the Milano Cortina Games, beginning with Snoop Dogg. The rapper is pictured here throwing a stone on the ice following the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada on Feb. 6, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MLAV2d2q6fzrGV_pZDi18Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NzU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/623b3470f63ac89300938eb4aba903ea class=caas-img>Michelle Yeoh arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gv5NFyYv7haPLHhOpEYZJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d87d94426e88b998432122e3379ab6ac class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Michelle Yeoh arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Michelle Yeoh arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gv5NFyYv7haPLHhOpEYZJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d87d94426e88b998432122e3379ab6ac class=caas-img>Usher arrives at the La Scala event ahead of the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BqjrPLWVPrRwp6ZfUTQ1UQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjY3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd6a959354f22a299607c70baffbb45d class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Usher arrives at the La Scala event ahead of the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026.
">Usher arrives at the La Scala event ahead of the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BqjrPLWVPrRwp6ZfUTQ1UQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjY3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd6a959354f22a299607c70baffbb45d class=caas-img>Maggie Rogers arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/p4TVwUEtwHU7qNlubxJuVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODQ2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6612faed51081d4a96ba38d22ab90df5 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Maggie Rogers arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Maggie Rogers arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/p4TVwUEtwHU7qNlubxJuVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODQ2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6612faed51081d4a96ba38d22ab90df5 class=caas-img>Benito Skinner arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ULW06Jff9X7guSctQ8cRvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/78f5dc2c347f146bf7a72e31719ee1af class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Benito Skinner arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Benito Skinner arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ULW06Jff9X7guSctQ8cRvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/78f5dc2c347f146bf7a72e31719ee1af class=caas-img>Snoop Dogg blows a kiss as he arrives for the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U54Aui8cQdgLJxd_Xpu4yw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/35800fd8b8b6be52201a5142b049cc3a class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Snoop Dogg blows a kiss as he arrives for the opening ceremony.
">Snoop Dogg blows a kiss as he arrives for the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U54Aui8cQdgLJxd_Xpu4yw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/35800fd8b8b6be52201a5142b049cc3a class=caas-img>Monique Coleman arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/blIUJAVM5ouMPGTn0KGVCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODgz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f5834ce3974a2534689b7e34afa98971 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Monique Coleman arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Monique Coleman arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/blIUJAVM5ouMPGTn0KGVCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODgz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f5834ce3974a2534689b7e34afa98971 class=caas-img>Snoop Dogg, world curling official Kim Forge (right), and Korey Dropkin's mother (left) watch the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OjPJGIt7OdOnAgBX3k.OWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6d4f5ea4a0684375f77d535ac939bc27 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Snoop Dogg, world curling official Kim Forge (right), and Korey Dropkin's mother (left) watch the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada.
">Snoop Dogg, world curling official Kim Forge (right), and Korey Dropkin's mother (left) watch the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OjPJGIt7OdOnAgBX3k.OWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6d4f5ea4a0684375f77d535ac939bc27 class=caas-img>Marisa Tomei arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vQ4egB.eUr3mgFZwhCxyCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/43d32c70dbbe7540436caa44e977a04c class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Marisa Tomei arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Marisa Tomei arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vQ4egB.eUr3mgFZwhCxyCw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/43d32c70dbbe7540436caa44e977a04c class=caas-img>Donatella Versace arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wnjXcA9cmYQcc5U64CFoMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTA4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef357b0cd969f48531b61d9b2db9f3b1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Donatella Versace arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Donatella Versace arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wnjXcA9cmYQcc5U64CFoMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTA4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef357b0cd969f48531b61d9b2db9f3b1 class=caas-img>eff Goldblum poses on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uJsIFx2PZ3pvoYQFecNg8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2752d60959615b623520d626280ea93e class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
eff Goldblum poses on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony.
">eff Goldblum poses on the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uJsIFx2PZ3pvoYQFecNg8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2752d60959615b623520d626280ea93e class=caas-img>Singer and former figure skater Sunghoon of South Korea arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G6aNw6lPRaK5MmV_eClvqg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0af13830bd02d9c8ba462790f8d20655 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Singer and former figure skater Sunghoon of South Korea arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Singer and former figure skater Sunghoon of South Korea arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/G6aNw6lPRaK5MmV_eClvqg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0af13830bd02d9c8ba462790f8d20655 class=caas-img>Katherine LaNasa arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OJssD7eVHwHgEqbNNZzZoA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODEx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e38cac1b0ad5d68eec6b831f42115286 class=caas-img data-headline="See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics" data-caption="
Katherine LaNasa arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
">Katherine LaNasa arrives ahead of the opening ceremony.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OJssD7eVHwHgEqbNNZzZoA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODEx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e38cac1b0ad5d68eec6b831f42115286 class=caas-img>
1 / 13See Snoop Dogg, Michelle Yeoh, more celebs at 2026 Winter Olympics
Stars have flocked to Italy as some of the world's top athletes compete are set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Scroll to see the celebrity sightings thus far at the Milano Cortina Games, beginning with Snoop Dogg. The rapper is pictured here throwing a stone on the ice following the curling mixed doubles round robin match between Team USA and Team Canada on Feb. 6, 2026.
Mariah Carey starts the show on a shockingly disappointing 'whistle' note
Perhaps the biggest superstar attached to the Opening Ceremony program, and one from outside the Italian home country, is Mariah Carey. Clad in a silver gown and giant boa and with the stage all to herself, the "All I Want for Christmas Is You" singer was low key as she sang in Italian after the initial dance portion of the ceremony was over. For fans used to her strong belt and confident performance style, it might have been a shock.
Of course, once Carey got her hands on one of her signature whistle notes (those really, really high pitches that very few singers can achieve) her voice strengthened, if not her performance demeanor, which remain staid and almost nervous and uncomfortable throughout. Have we, perhaps, discovered a stage that even someone as famous and practiced as Carey might have a few jitters about? Or was she simply a bit less comfortable performing in Italian? Compared to the decisive, bold performance from Italian singer Laura Pausini, who rocked the country's national anthem alongside a stirring choir in Cortina, Carey fell decidedly flat.
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on Feb. 6, 2026.How to watch the Milano Cortana Olympics Opening Ceremony
NBC is broadcasting the opening ceremony live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com, and on the network from 2-5 p.m. ET. An encore presentation of the opening ceremony will air on NBC at 8 p.m. ET for the American primetime viewing audience.
Contributing: Alicia Del Gallo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olympics 2026 opening ceremony performances – Highlights, review
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
