2024-10-26 16:04:00
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games will feature several venues, as if to enhance the Italian sporting spirit, culture, history and landscapes of the territories called to host the event , twenty years after the Turin 2006 edition.
Ln February 6, 2026, the eyes of the world will be fixed on the emblematic Stadium San Siro from Milan.
The largest sports venue in Italy with its 80,000 seats, the Lombard site will then be the scene of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, the first to be held in Italy since 2006 and the first in Europe since the meeting. you winter Sochi 2014.
For the occasion, the transalpine organizers intend to highlight the history and culture of their country and, even more, the unique concept of this edition of the Winter Games.
Organized in fact across three regions – Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto – and several clusters sports going from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo via Livigno, Predazzo or even Bormio, the 2026 Games will offer a wide range of landscapes, will promote Italian know-how, while creating a link with the spirit of the Cortina Games 1956.
For the Opening Ceremony, Milan-Cortina 2026 will therefore rely on one of the leaders world leaders in the realization of this type of planetary meetings, namely « Balich Wonder Studio ».
Already present for the Turin 2006 Ceremonies, the company was also involved in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Games, as well as during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Games. In recent years , « Balich Wonder Studio » also produced the handover of the flag and the show featuring the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in the costume of « Super Mario » during the transition between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Beyond the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the company has also worked on several continental events such as the Pan American Games Ceremonies of Lima 2019, then Santiago 2023.
She also carried out the Opening Ceremonies of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, the UEFA EURO 2024 football tournament in Germany, and the Champions League that same year in London (United Kingdom).
For Milan-Cortina 2026, the company’s commitment illustrates a certain loyalty, « Balich Wonder Studio » having been at the heart of the official presentations of the transalpine candidacy in 2019.
But given the unique nature of the concept of the 2026 Games, the organizers wanted a diversity of actors to distinguish each of the meetings intended to mark the opening and closing of both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.
Also, in addition to the aforementioned company which will work specifically on the opening of the Olympic Games, Milan-Cortina 2026 recently announced that « Film Master » would be in charge of the design of the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games (February 22, 2026) and Opening Ceremonies of the Paralympic Games (March 6, 2026) in the historic Arena of Verona.
In 2026, these will constitute the second spectacular setting for the Games Ceremonies, demonstrating the organizers’ desire to closely involve the territories involved in setting up the sporting event.
Recently present on the orchestration of the Opening Ceremony of the America’s Cup 2024, « Film master » worked – as « Balich Wonder Studio » – in various formats, notably on the stage of the Turin 2006 and Rio 2016 Games, or even during the handover between London 2012 and Rio 2016, and during the Olympic Torch Relay in Brazil.
More generally, the company has also been noted for its spectacular achievements for the opening of several editions of the UEFA EURO football tournament, whether in 2012 in Poland, in 2016 in France, or in 2020 in Italy, also intervening on the UEFA EURO 2024 Closing Ceremony in Germany.
To complete the scenic framing of the Ceremonies, a third actor will shine in 2026 on a third and final site.
« G2 Events – Casta Diva Group » will thus have to stage the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games which will be held on March 15, 2026 in the Olympic Stadium of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a historic setting which was at the heart of the 1956 Games.
In recent years, the company giving pride of place to light projections notably designed the New Year’s show in the ancient enclosure of the Circus Maximus in Rome (Italy) in 2018 in the presence of 120,000 spectators, but also the show opening of the Rally Dakar in 2020.
Three key speakers for three distinct sites and a total of four Ceremonies with a global audience. The challenge promises to be immense for the parties involved in this unique adventure.
As the Director of Ceremonies within the Organizing Committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games highlighted earlier this month:
We are very happy to collaborate with such qualified partners who fully understand our vision.
We are convinced that they will contribute, through their talent, their creativity and their great experience, to making the Milan-Cortina 2026 Ceremonies unique and to promoting the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
While the preparatory work for the establishment of the four major events of the 2026 Games began last year, Maria Laura Iascone also outlined the spirit of these events and more particularly the concept of the opening of the Olympic Games.
As she made it known while still retaining a touch of mystery:
There will be a common thread between the different Ceremonies, but above all, precisely because these are the first scattered Games, for the first time the Opening Ceremony will also be extended, with the aim of involving as much as possible the real protagonists of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Interview with Maria Laura Iascone, Director of Ceremonies for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Maria Laura. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games are just around the corner. Can you share what sets this edition apart from past Winter Olympics?
Maria Laura Iascone: Thank you for having me! The Milan-Cortina 2026 Games are unique because they are spread across three regions: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto. This allows us to showcase a diverse range of Italian landscapes, culture, and history. It’s a celebration of not just sport but also the spirit of our territories.
Interviewer: It sounds like a fascinating experience. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the iconic San Siro Stadium. What can attendees expect from this event?
Maria Laura Iascone: Absolutely! San Siro, with its 80,000 seats, is the largest sports venue in Italy. We plan to integrate a narrative thread that connects the rich sporting heritage with contemporary Italian culture. We want to celebrate our athletes as the main protagonists of this grand event.
Interviewer: You mentioned collaboration with some esteemed partners for the ceremonies. Could you elaborate on who is involved?
Maria Laura Iascone: We are excited to work with Balich Wonder Studio for the Opening Ceremony. They have a rich history in producing spectacular events, having worked on previous Olympics. Additionally, Film Master will handle the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics and the Opening of the Paralympics, while G2 Events will stage the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Interviewer: That’s quite the lineup! Given the complexities of staging these events across multiple venues, what challenges do you anticipate?
Maria Laura Iascone: The challenge lies in ensuring a seamless experience that brings together diverse cultural elements from each region. We want to make sure all performers and attendees feel connected to each other and the overarching theme of unity in sport. There will be logistical hurdles, but we are up for the challenge!
Interviewer: You mentioned a “common thread” between the ceremonies. Can you share more about this concept?
Maria Laura Iascone: While I’d love to keep some surprises, I can say that the ceremonies will focus on inclusivity and the stories of athletes. For the first time, the Opening Ceremony will extend its reach to involve more voices from the Olympic and Paralympic spectrum, making it a more communal celebration.
Interviewer: It sounds like a remarkable event in the making. How do you envision the legacy of these Games for Italy?
Maria Laura Iascone: We hope to inspire a new generation of athletes and foster a deeper appreciation of Italian culture through the lens of sport. Our aim is not just to host a successful Olympics but to leave behind a lasting impact on our communities and the sporting world.
Interviewer: Thank you, Maria Laura. We’re excited to see the ceremonies come to life in 2026!
Maria Laura Iascone: Thank you for having me! We’re just as eager and can’t wait to welcome the world to Milan-Cortina!
Cohesive narrative weaves through all the ceremonies, celebrating the uniqueness of each location while maintaining the Olympic spirit. We are also mindful of logistics, as coordinating events across multiple sites requires careful planning and collaboration among all parties involved.
Interviewer: It sounds like a monumental task. As the Director of Ceremonies, what is your vision for how these events will resonate with audiences globally?
Maria Laura Iascone: My vision is to create an immersive and inclusive experience that not only highlights the athletic achievements of the competitors but also engages viewers around the world in a celebration of culture, diversity, and unity. We want people to feel connected to the Games, whether they are in Milan, Cortina, or watching from afar. Our ceremonies will be focused on storytelling and emotional resonance, making each moment memorable.
Interviewer: Lastly, what do you hope will be the lasting impact of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games on the local communities?
Maria Laura Iascone: I hope that these Games will inspire a newfound appreciation for winter sports among the local population and foster pride in our Italian heritage. We want to leave a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability that can engage future generations. It’s not just about the Games; it’s about creating lasting connections within our communities and with the larger global audience.
Thank you for sharing your insights, Maria. The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games sound like a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and spirit of Italy while celebrating athletic excellence!
