From Mariah's high notes to giant bobbleheads: The unforgettable moments from the Milano Cortina 2026 opener

It was colourful, it was sometimes odd, it was star-studded, and it was long – but the Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony was spectacular.

The first dual hosting of the Winter Games, the main ceremony took place in Milan's San Siro stadium, while another took place simultaneously in Cortina. Smaller ceremonies also took place in Livigno and Predazzo.

The three-and-a-half-hour ceremony finished with the lighting of two cauldrons, at the Milano Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) and at Cortina's Piazza Dibona.

AS IT HAPPENED: Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony

READ MORE: 'Wild rumour': Ski jumping boss responds to 'penis injection' claims

READ MORE: Skier escapes punishment for urinated political message

Wide World of Sports takes a look at the best moments from the opening ceremony.

The Wonderful

The ceremony started with some angelic figures dancing around some cubes, and then a single conductor emerged to control dancers dressed as musical notes. Above them dropped three paint tubes - red, blue and yellow, the primary colours.

Among them were three bobble-head figures of Italian music maestros. Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini. They would make regular reappearances throughout the night.

Then came the first real treat of the night. Mariah Carey, in the middle of the stage, performing Nel Blu, dipinto di Blu – better known as Volare – in Italian, into her own Nothing is Impossible from her latest album.

Volare means "fly" in Italian, and the song is one of the most iconic in modern Italian music history.

After the athletes parade, White Lotus actress Sabrina Impacciatore took viewers on a journey through 100 years of the Winter Olympics. It was easily one of the highlights of the ceremony. The choreography and outfits were sensational, as were Impatiatara's ever-changing facial expressions.

The athletes' parade provided a challenge to organisers. These Games have been split into four zones, and they're hours apart by road. As a result, organisers organised separate and simultaneous parades in each zone – at the San Siro in Milan, as well as Livigno, Predazza and Cortina.

It was seamless – after each nation was announced in the San Siro, the feed showed all of the athletes walking across all venues.

Mongolia's uniforms were spectacular, and arguably the best of the lot. They included thick jackets and equally warm-looking headpieces.

Haiti's were also incredible – hand-painted and tell a story of the hardship the nation has endured, from natural disasters to conflict.

"Every centimetre of fabric carries the duty to tell a story, the will to endure," gold medallist Lydia Lassila said on Nine's coverage.

Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.

The Weird

Italians are well known for speaking with their hands, and there was a skit that really owned that stereotype. A 'presenter' – Italian comedian and actress Brenda Lodigiani – appeared to welcome the crowd to the stadium, but suffered a microphone failure. She then signed several common phrases, which were translated on the world feed by a cartoon graphic, as well as some more quintessentially Italian ones.

"You don't know an Italian if they don't speak with their hands, right? That was fabulous," Allison Langdon said on Nine's coverage.

The bobblehead Verdi, Puccini and Rossini trio popped up regularly through the show, and even danced briefly with Mariah Carey.

As amazing as the athletes' parade is, the four-zone approach did bring with it its own challenges, and they were apparent right from the start. None of the first five nations – Greece, Albania, Andorra, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina – had any Milan-based athletes, so it wasn't until Armenia was called that the first athletes walked into the stadium.

Viewers got to see athletes from those nations marching in the other zones, but it would have been an odd sight for those in the main stadium.

The Unforgettable

One of the other highlights of the night was the performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, performing Nessun Dorma.

Twenty years ago, it was Luciano Pavarotti who sang the same song to close the opening ceremony at Torino, and Bocelli singing it makes for something of a full-circle moment.

As he sang it, the Olympic flame entered the stadium, carried by footballers Giuseppe Bergomi and Franco Baresi - representing Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan.

The performance was equally as spellbinding and emotional as Pavarotti's, and left many in the stadium wiping away tears.

As the song finished, the flame left the stadium on its way to the Milano Arco della Pace, the arch of peace.

The Aussies

When Matt Graham and Jakara Anthony led the Aussies into the parade, they brought an injection of energy. And viewers were going to need it - the parade alone ended up stretching for more than an hour and a half.

There was dancing. There was singing, and everyone looked as if they were having the time of their lives.

Of the 53 Aussies at the Games, 41 athletes were marching. The broadcast picked up 'Aussie Aussie Aussie' chants.

It can be hard to make winter clothing look fashionable, but the Aussie designers nailed it. Our athletes looked stylish and warm.

The Cauldron

For the first time, two cauldrons were simultaneously lit - one in Milan, and the other in Cortina.

In Milan, it was Alpine race skiers Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni who received the final baton to light the flame inside the Arco della Pace, while in Cortina it was Sofia Goggia.

The two cauldrons are identical, and represent twin suns, two cities, two identities, but one shared flame. They will stay lit for the next 16 days.

And like all good shows, the lighting of the cauldron triggered a spectacular fireworks display around the two cities.

Some competition has already begun, but the Games will get underway proper on Saturday night Australian time.