2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony: Major Lazer, Diplo, and "Beauty in Action" Close the Milan Cortina Games at the Verona Olympic Arena
The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially over. The Milan Cortina closing ceremony unfolded Sunday, February 22 at the historic Verona Olympic Arena in Verona, Italy — bringing a spectacular, culture-soaked finale to 16 days of elite winter competition. The event aired live on NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET, with a primetime encore at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Where Is the Closing Ceremony for the 2026 Olympics? Verona, Italy
The historic Verona Arena — officially rebranded the Verona Olympic Arena for the Games — hosted the closing ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Built in 30 AD, the ancient Roman amphitheatre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once home to gladiatorial contests and has since hosted legendary live events. Verona was selected specifically to evoke the spirit of the ancient Olympic Games, even though no competition events took place in the city.
2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Time and How to Watch
The closing ceremony aired live on NBC and streamed on Peacock at 2:30 p.m. ET, with a primetime encore at 9 p.m. ET.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, February 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Verona Olympic Arena, Verona, Italy |
| Live Airtime (ET) | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| Primetime Encore (ET) | 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
| Stream | Peacock, NBCOlympics.com |
| Theme | "Beauty in Action" |
Major Lazer and Diplo Ignite the Olympic Closing Ceremony
The biggest surprise of the night came courtesy of EDM powerhouse Major Lazer. Diplo appeared to spoil the announcement hours before the ceremony, sharing video on Instagram with the caption: "Nobody in this stadium knows i'm closing the olympic ceremony with major lazer." The performance had athletes and attendees on their feet dancing. Major Lazer — featuring Diplo, Walshy Fire, Ape Drums, and America Foster — performed hits including "Lean On" and promised "several surprise guests."
Full Performer Lineup at the Olympics Closing Ceremony 2026
Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle, DJ Gabry Ponte, singer Achille Lauro, and actress and model Benedetta Porcaroli were among the featured performers. The ceremony wove together opera, contemporary dance, and electronic music, drawing from Italy's cultural legacy.
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Major Lazer (Diplo) | Closing EDM set |
| Achille Lauro | Italian pop singer |
| Gabry Ponte | Italian DJ / electronic music |
| Roberto Bolle | International ballet star |
| Benedetta Porcaroli | Italian actress / closing narrative |
Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski Co-Host NBC's Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Coverage
NBC's closing ceremony coverage was hosted by Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir, who led NBC Sports' figure skating commentary throughout the Milan Cortina Games. Johnny Weir lauded Team USA for "how they've stood up for one another" during his on-air commentary.
When Are the 2026 Winter Olympics Over? Games End, Torch Passes to French Alps
The closing ceremony concluded the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which ran February 6–22. The ceremony included the formal handover to the French Alps as the host region of the 2030 Winter Olympics. Team USA set a new Winter Olympics record with 11 gold medals, surpassing its previous high of 10 at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. The 2026 Winter Paralympics begin March 6, with its opening ceremony also set for the Verona Olympic Arena.
