Milan Cortina 2026: opening ceremony guests, heads of state, ticket controversy and organization's reactions

The opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is one of the most anticipated events of the global sports year: scheduled for Feb. 6, 2026 at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, the spectacular opening night will be a mix of sports, culture and international diplomacy.

Major international guests and official delegations

Institutional guests announced for the opening ceremony include heads of state and high international dignitaries, with special emphasis on the U.S. delegation led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Also attending with him will be Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance's wife Usha, and other members of the delegation including past Olympic medalists such as Evan Lysacek and Apolo Ohno.

The absence of U.S. President Donald Trump has been confirmed in the media, but the presence of the high-profile political and sports delegation remains one of the highlights of the inauguration.

On the Italian side, the participation of the President of the Republic and leading national dignitaries is confirmed, who will also take part in collateral institutional events in the days leading up to the ceremony.

In addition to political dignitaries, the event will also welcome prominent figures from the world of entertainment and culture: confirmed names for performances include Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore, pianist Lang Lang, and soprano Cecilia Bartoli.

Planned activities for guests

International guests will not only be spectators: the visit of personalities such as Vance and Rubio includes institutional meetings, participation in official events promoted by the Organizing Committee, and attendance at the Heads of State dinner before the ceremony. The protocol also includes participation in the parade of national teams during the flag parade, a symbolic moment that combines sports and diplomacy.

For artists and performers, the opening represents a global stage: the theme of the evening, "Harmony,” aims to celebrate the meeting of different cultures, territories and passions, also embodied in the musical and narrative choices of the show.

€26 tickets for volunteers: the social controversy

Just days before the opening, a controversy has erupted regarding ticket prices offered to volunteers involved in organizing the Games. While the cheapest tickets for the general public for the opening ceremony start at around €260, some volunteers received exceptional offers at only €26 for seats in the third ring of the stadium.

The decision aimed to fill the 60,000-seat stadium in the last stages of sales after some categories of tickets were still available despite high general interest.

However, the proposal drew criticism: some commentators spoke of unfairness compared to standard fees, arguing that the very low cost for volunteers could create inequality compared to fans who had purchased full-price or promoted tickets. Discussions also spread on social media and online forums at home and abroad.

The organization's response

La Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation and organizers explained that the offer of €26 tickets for volunteers is not a “gift” but a thank you for the tremendous contribution made by members of Team26, the program that involves tens of thousands of people from around the world in the logistics, hosting and management of the Games. The stated goal is to ensure a full and participatory atmosphere at the opening, recognizing the efforts of those who have devoted time and expertise to the overall event.

Organizers also stressed that base ticket prices reflect production costs and international demand for Olympic-level events, and that special initiatives such as the one reserved for volunteers are part of community engagement strategies.