Verona hosts closing ceremony as Milan Cortina 2026 draws to a close, France to take the baton
The closing ceremony at the Arena marked the official end of Milano Cortina 2026 in verona, a night that blended sport, opera and contemporary spectacle and concluded with the ceremonial passage of the Olympic baton to France, next host of the Winter Games.
Verona as Olympic stage: format and spectacle
The Arena of Verona was transformed into an Olympic stadium for the finale. The evening featured a sequence of formal and theatrical moments that emphasized Italy's cultural register: the Olympic flame entered carried by the champions of the Lillehammer 1994 cross-country relay, the five Olympic rings were lit, and a programme drew on operatic and lyrical references to create a unique visual identity.
A large chandelier topped by a representation of Rigoletto dominated the set while elements from La traviata accompanied a choreography built around familiar operatic figures — camelie, danzatrici, lumières and donne chandelier — and the music of "Libiamo ne' lieti calici. " The director of scene checked the cast three minutes before the start to ensure the opening sequence was ready.
What unfolded onstage and in the parade
The parade included 93 nations and roughly 1, 400 of the 2, 900 athletes who took part in the Games. The tricolour was carried onto the field by a group of personalities who had contributed significantly to the organisation of the Games; the Olympic flag was raised alongside it. Colossal portraits by a noted photographer were displayed prior to the flag entrance, underlining a narrative that honoured everyday contributions alongside athletic achievement.
Leading political and sports figures appeared on camera in the stands during the ceremony, and the national anthem was sung by those present. The event combined formal protocol with theatrical staging to underline both the competitive and cultural dimensions of the Games.
Performers, hosts and a proposed artistic lineup
A pre-show at the Arena opened the evening with hosts Annie Mazzola and Federico Russo. A possible running order for the ceremony had been presented before the event under the banner "Beauty in Action, " a concept linking athletic gesture with artistic expression and proposing a scenography built around a single drop of water as motif.
The proposed creative team and participants aimed to bridge contemporary and classical languages: a DJ set intended to bring global electronic rhythms; a hometown pop/performance artist returning to the city where they were born; the presence of ballet star Roberto Bolle to represent dance; and an actress contributing to the evening's narrative. The programme also noted a formal moment dedicated to the handover to France, which will host the next Winter Games.
Closing notes and next steps
The Games closed with sporting finales on the day and the ceremony provided a cultural and ceremonial capstone. The Arena's conversion into an Olympic setting and the show's blend of tradition and modernity were highlighted throughout the evening. The passage of the Olympic baton to France signalled the official transition of responsibility for the next Winter Games.
Recent updates indicate the detailed lineup and some artistic choices had been presented as possible or proposed prior to the ceremony; elements described in advance were reflected in the night’s programme, while the handover to France completed the formal closing ritual. Further specifics that were not included in preparatory descriptions may be confirmed in subsequent summaries of the event.
