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 iconic venue best known as the shared home of Inter Milan and AC Milan. The ceremony will officially launch the Winter Games, which run from February 6 through February 22 across several locations in northern Italy.
In a statement announcing the news, the local organizing committee described Carey’s involvement as a natural fit for the magnitude of the Games. “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games,” the committee said, noting that music serves as a universal language connected to the ceremony’s theme of harmony.
While Milan will host the main spectacle, the opening ceremony will reflect the Olympics’ multi-city format. Athletes competing in Cortina, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme will be able to participate remotely from their respective venues.
Carey, brings extensive experience performing at major global sporting events. She has previously 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.
According to the BBC, Carey’s Olympic appearance places her among elite companies, following performances by Celine Dion and Lady Gaga at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The Milan-Cortina Games aim to blend modern spectacle with historic Italian settings, a theme that will continue through the closing ceremony on February 22, 2026, at Verona’s Roman Arena, headlined by renowned ballet dancer Roberto Bolle.
More performers and creative details are expected to be announced in the months leading up to the Games.
