The Closing Ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is scheduled for Sunday 22 February, starting at 8 pm. The chosen stage is the Verona Arena, which for the occasion takes on the official name of Verona Olympic Arena. This is a historic record: for the first time in the history of the Games, an Olympic ceremony is held within a UNESCO heritage site. The Roman amphitheater, among the largest and most evocative in Italy, has hosted major musical and cultural events over the decades: this time it becomes the theater of the last act of an entire Olympic edition.
The theme: “Beauty in Action”
The concept chosen for the evening is “Beauty in Action”, or beauty in movement. The guiding idea is to keep together the two souls of the Games – the urban one and the Alpine one – by bringing mountains and plains, nature and cities, sport and art into dialogue. The objective declared by the organizers is to avoid a solemn and formal celebration, instead building a dynamic and multidisciplinary show, capable of mixing music, dance and visual arts in a single coherent story.
The scenography is inspired by a drop of water, symbol of a continuous cycle that unites the Alpine peaks, the plain, the cities, the lagoon and the sea: a tribute to the bond between the territories that served as the setting for the Games. The Arena itself will be redesigned in its spaces: no clear separation between stage and audience, but a large amphitheater transformed into an Italian square animated by luminous surfaces, mobile elements and choreographies. The expected duration is approximately three and a half hours.
Guests announced
The complete program has not yet been revealed in every detail, but some appearances are already official. Roberto Bolle will bring the language of dance to the stage with a performance designed specifically for the Arena space. Also expected are Gabry Ponte and Achille Lauro, born in Verona, who will be one of the symbolic protagonists of the last night of the Games. The actress Benedetta Porcaroli will also participate in the evening.
There will be no shortage of institutional events: the joint parade of the athletes, the official speeches, the extinguishing of the Olympic brazier and the delivery of the Olympic flag to France, which will host the 2030 French Alps Winter Games. Curiosity: for the first time in the history of the Winter Games, two braziers will be extinguished simultaneously in two different cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Where to see it on TV and streaming
In Italy the ceremony will be broadcast live by Rai, with television coverage and streaming on the official public service platforms. Distribution abroad is entrusted to the main international broadcasters who own the rights. The starting time at 8pm will guarantee full viewing of the evening, including the final stages dedicated to the handover towards the 2030 Games.
The tickets
For those who want to be present at the Arena, tickets can be purchased on the official website of the Milan-Cortina Olympics with different price ranges. The top category goes up to around 2,900 euros, the intermediate category is around 1,800 euros, while the basic range starts from around 900-950 euros, with expected reductions and the possibility of accessing standard ticket resale offers.
Finally, it should be noted that the Verona Olympic Arena will once again be the protagonist on 6 March, when it will host the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
