Milano Cortina 2026: Closing Ceremony and Torch Relay to the French Alps 2030

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXV Winter Olympic Games or Milano Cortina 2026, took place from February 6 to 22, 2026, is finally over.

This prestigious winter sporting event became the first in Olympic history to be officially hosted by two host cities: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Preparations for this global sporting event have begun with the torch relay, which will be lit on November 26, 2025, in Olympia, Greece, and will conclude with the opening ceremony on February 6, 2026, in Milan, Italy.

These Games will not only feature thrilling competitions but also a grand closing ceremony, marking the transition to the next host city, the French Alps 2030.

With the themes "Beauty in Action" and "Armonia," the closing ceremony at the Arena Verona will be a historic moment, held at a UNESCO World Heritage site for the first time.

Milano Cortina 2026 made history as the first Winter Olympics officially hosted by two cities: Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan became the center of indoor ice competitions, such as figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating, and will host the Opening Ceremony at the Stadio San Siro.

Meanwhile, Cortina d'Ampezzo will host bobsledding, skeleton, alpine skiing, curling, and para-snowboarding.

In addition to these two main cities, several other clusters of locations, such as Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Verona, will also participate in various sporting events.

The Olympic torch relay will begin its journey on November 26, 2025, in Olympia, Greece, and will arrive in Milan on February 6, 2026, to light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony.

A total of 2,871 athletes from 92 countries will compete in 116 events across eight sports and 16 disciplines.

The Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the historic Verona Arena.

The choice of the Verona Arena as the venue for the Closing Ceremony was no coincidence.

This iconic amphitheater embodies Italy's rich cultural heritage, providing an unparalleled setting to conclude an event of global significance.

It makes the closing become the first time the Olympic Closing Ceremony has been held at a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The ceremony began at 8:30 PM CET and directed by a creative team led by Alfredo Accatino, with the themes "Beauty in Action" and "Armonia," symbolizing the beauty and harmony of Italy.

The show feature a tribute to Italian lyric opera, dance, and music, with performances by renowned artists such as singer-songwriter Achille Lauro, actor Benedetta Porcaroli, DJ/producer Gabry Ponte, and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle.

Instead of fireworks, a light show illuminate the Verona sky.

After Milano Cortina 2026, the spotlight will turn to the French Alps, which will host the XXVI Olympic Winter Games in 2030.

The French Alps 2030 Winter Games are scheduled to take place from February 1 to 17, 2030.

The official handover ceremony for the Olympic flag will take place to the French Alps 2030 team during the closing ceremony in Verona, with the French flag raised alongside the Italian flag as a symbol of the transition.

A special French segment of the closing ceremony will feature mezzo-soprano Marine Chagnon performing a modern version of "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem.

A special video will feature views of the French Alps, embodying the "positive, elegant, minimalist" message of French Alps 2030 brand director, Mathieu Sakkas.

This will be France's fourth hosting of the Winter Olympics, with competitions spread across four clusters: Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Briançon, and Nice.