Mariah Carey is set to bring her powerhouse vocals to one of the world’s biggest stages in 2026, performing at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan. The announcement makes Carey the first major international music star confirmed for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which will run from February 6 through February 22 across northern Italy.

Carey will perform at Stadio San Siro in Milan on February 6, helping launch the Games in front of a global audience. In a video shared on her Instagram, she greeted fans with a cheerful “Ciao” and said, “See you at the Stadio San Siro on the 6th of February for the Olympic opening ceremony. Ci vediamo a Milano.” The short message quickly spread across social media, fueling excitement for what is expected to be one of the ceremony’s signature moments.

The Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony is built around the theme of “Harmony,” with organizers aiming to blend sport, music, culture, and visual storytelling into a unified celebration. Carey’s involvement aligns closely with that vision, pairing a globally recognized voice with an event designed to emphasize international connection and shared experience.

The performance marks a notable milestone in Carey’s career. While she is best known for her chart-topping pop and R&B catalog and her enduring holiday anthem “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” appearing at the Olympic opening ceremony places her in a rare group of artists who have performed on one of the world’s most visible cultural stages. Olympic opening ceremonies have a long tradition of pairing global sporting moments with music that resonates across borders, and Carey’s selection continues that approach.

Producers of the ceremony have also emphasized that Italian culture will be woven throughout the event, combining contemporary performances with design, art, and imagery that reflect the host nation’s heritage. Additional performers are expected to be announced closer to the Games, but Carey’s confirmation sets a high bar and gives audiences a clear preview of the scale and ambition planned for the opening night.

With the countdown to February 2026 officially underway, Carey’s performance adds star power to a ceremony already positioned as a centerpiece of the Winter Games. Her appearance is expected to be one of the most watched and discussed moments of the opening night as the world turns its attention to Milan and the start of the Olympics.