Milan Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony: A Celebration of Italian Art and Athleticism
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo concluded on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a spectacular closing ceremony held within the historic Verona Arena. The event, broadcast live worldwide, showcased Italian music, dance and artistry, celebrating both the athletic achievements of the Games and the country’s rich cultural heritage.
A Historic Venue and Symbolic Flame
The Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater, provided a unique and fitting backdrop for the ceremony. The Olympic flame, previously lit in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, was carried into the Arena by members of the Italian relay team from the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics: Maurizio De Zolt, Marco Albarello, Giorgio Vanzetta, and Silvio Fauner. They symbolically lit the Olympic rings, honoring the history of Italian sport and bridging the gap between past legends and present-day athletes CBS News.
Tributes and Performances
The ceremony featured a parade of approximately 1,500 Olympians, representing over half of the athletes who competed in the Games. Italy and the United States each fielded a full team, competing in all 16 sport disciplines CBS News. The Italian national anthem, “Il Canto degli Italiani,” accompanied the entrance of the Italian medalists. Musical performances included reinterpretations of classic Italian songs by Mina, Caterina Caselli, Gino Paoli, Paolo Conte, Cochi and Renato, Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, and Stelvio Cipriani, performed by the instrumental group Calibro 35 Il Fatto Quotidiano.
Artistic Highlights: Bolle and Thiele
A highlight of the ceremony was a performance by internationally acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle. Emerging from a trap door, Bolle performed an aerial act as a circular platform rose to become a luminous sun, symbolizing rebirth and hope NBC Los Angeles. He was accompanied on stage by singer-songwriter Joan Thiele, who performed Jimmy Fontana’s “The World.” The choreography incorporated gondolas, creating a visually stunning representation of Italian artistry and identity NBC Los Angeles.
Passing the Baton to 2030
The ceremony also included the passing of the Olympic flag to the representatives of the French Alps, the host of the 2030 Winter Olympics. The Games will be held from February 1 to February 17, 2030 Il Fatto Quotidiano.
A Grand Finale
The ceremony concluded with the extinguishing of the Olympic brazier, performed to the music of Venetian pianist Gloria Campaner, playing a piece by Ludovico Einaudi. Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina Foundation, remarked on the success of the Games, stating, “The curtain falls on a great Olympics. Well done, Italy. You kept your promises!” Il Fatto Quotidiano.