Mariah Carey is heading to one of the world’s biggest stages.
NBC News has confirmed that the pop icon will be a featured performer at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Organizers announced that Carey will take part in the opening night festivities on February 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium in Milan, the legendary venue best known as the shared home of Inter Milan and AC Milan.
The event will officially kick off the Winter Games, which run from February 6 through February 22 across multiple locations in northern Italy.
In a statement announcing the news, the local organizing committee described Carey’s involvement as a natural fit for the gravity of the Winter Olympics. “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games,” the committee said, adding that music serves as “a universal language” tied to the ceremony’s overarching theme of harmony.
While Milan will host the main spectacle, the opening night won’t be limited to a single location. Athletes competing in events based in Cortina, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme will be able to participate remotely from those venues, reflecting the Games’ multi-city format.
Carey, 56, brings extensive experience performing at high-profile sporting events. Over the years, she has sung the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl, appeared at the NBA All-Star Game, and performed at the U.S. Open women’s tennis final.
Per the BBC, her Olympic appearance also places her in notable company—Celine Dion and Lady Gaga both performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Milan-Cortina Games are expected to blend modern spectacle with historic backdrops, and the closing ceremony will continue that approach. Internationally renowned ballet dancer Roberto Bolle is set to headline the finale on February 22, 2026, at Verona’s ancient Roman Arena.
Additional performers and creative details for the ceremony are expected to be revealed in the months ahead as anticipation builds for the Winter Games’ return to Italy.
