Italian
On February 6th at San Siro, Italy will inaugurate the Winter Games with a widespread event that highlights the territories: “For the first time, the Olympics adapt to the places, not the other way around.”
MILAN – The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be much more than a show: it will be Italy’s calling card to the world. This was emphasized by the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, who spoke at the official presentation of the event to be held on February 6, 2026, at San Siro stadium.
Also present at the conference were Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, CEO Andrea Varnier, regional councilor Massimo Sertori, and Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala.
According to estimates, over 93 countries will be represented, with heads of state, delegations, journalists, and tourists from around the world. Scheduled are 3,500 competitions awarding 195 medals in 16 Olympic disciplines.
“For the first time,” said Fontana, “the Olympics adapt to the territory and not vice versa. It will be a widespread event involving Milan, Valtellina with Bormio and Livigno, Cortina, and Trentino-Alto Adige. An opportunity to showcase Italian culture, art, history, and values to the world.”
The most anticipated moment will be the athletes’ entrance and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, symbolizing the official start of the Games. “That flame,” added Fontana, “will ignite in Italians the awareness that we are truly hosting the Olympics and that the eyes of the world are focused on our cities and mountains.”
Lombardy, concluded the president, “has the strength to make natural what is not: organizing the Olympics innovatively, respecting the places and enhancing their excellence. With the opening ceremony, Italy will tell the world: we are what you see.”
