Mariah Carey will add her unmistakable voice to one of sport’s grandest stages after being confirmed as a leading performer at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The American singer-songwriter will take centre stage at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium on Friday, 6 February, as the Games officially get under way.
The Winter Olympics, hosted jointly by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, will run from 6 to 22 February, bringing together thousands of athletes from across the globe. Organisers say Carey’s appearance is designed to give the opening ceremony global appeal, blending sport, culture and music in a spectacle worthy of the Olympic movement.
Carey, 56, is one of the most successful artists in music history, having sold more than 200 million albums worldwide since her debut in 1990. A five-time Grammy Award winner, she is best known for hits such as Hero, We Belong Together and the perennial festive anthem All I Want for Christmas Is You. Her ability to deliver powerful live performances has made her a natural choice for an event watched by hundreds of millions of viewers.
The ceremony will take place at San Siro, home to Italian football giants Inter and AC Milan, transforming one of Europe’s most famous sporting arenas into an Olympic stage. While Milan will host the headline event, athletes will also be able to participate remotely from other competition hubs, including Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, reflecting the multi-venue nature of the Games.
Carey is no stranger to performing at major sporting occasions. She famously sang the United States national anthem at the NFL Super Bowl in 2002 and again at the NBA All-Star Game in 2003. In 2020, she performed one of her own songs at the US Open women’s tennis final, further cementing her reputation as a performer capable of rising to the occasion on the biggest stages.
Her appearance at the Winter Olympics follows a recent tradition of high-profile musical acts enhancing Olympic opening ceremonies. At the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, Celine Dion and Lady Gaga delivered headline performances that were widely praised for their theatrical flair and emotional impact. Organisers in Italy hope Carey’s involvement will generate similar excitement and global attention.
In a brief statement, Olympic officials described Carey as “an artist whose voice and legacy transcend generations,” adding that her performance would set the tone for a celebration of excellence, unity and international cooperation. While details of her setlist remain under wraps, anticipation is already building around what songs she might choose for the occasion.
The Milan-Cortina Games are expected to showcase Italy’s rich cultural heritage alongside world-class winter sport. With events spread across northern Italy, organisers have emphasised sustainability, regional inclusion and innovation. The opening ceremony is seen as a key moment to present that vision to the world.
For Carey, the performance represents another milestone in a career spanning more than three decades. For the Olympics, it is a statement of intent: that the Games will be as much about spectacle and shared experience as medals and records.
As the countdown to February begins, fans of both music and sport will be watching closely. When Mariah Carey steps onto the stage at San Siro, her voice will signal not just the start of the Winter Olympics, but the beginning of a global celebration.
Read related story from New Daily Prime: Tyla wins second VMA Afrobeats award
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news.
