MILAN — The Mona Lisa. People dressed as coffee makers. Mariah Carey. Fun cheers. Heavy boos.
It’s a fact the Olympic opening ceremony is a made-for-TV extravaganza, meant to wow a global audience from start to finish.
But it’s just as spectacular in person, and even better, allows you to catch things you likely didn’t see on the broadcast. Luckily, USA TODAY Sports caught it all from the site of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, capturing the live action art displayed throughout the night.
Even though the opening ceremony began at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 6, the festivities started 30 minutes before inside Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium with a preshow DJ and hosts teaching the crowd dances for the show. The crowd did its own thing, giving off a classic European soccer vibe in a stadium known for it.
It may have looked packed during the show, people braving the cold outdoor conditions, but it wasn’t entirely full, with noticeable empty seats in the upper northeast and east side of the stadium.
