The 2026 Winter Olympics will officially be underway with Friday’s Opening Ceremony.
US Vice President JD Vance and wife, Usha, are in attendance at the ceremony, as the White House cheers on Team USA with a special X post.
During the live broadcast, NBC Olympics announcers, including Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, acknowledge Savannah Guthrie’s absence during these games as she remains stateside to continue search for her missing mother, Nancy.
Star-studded names like Andrea Bocelli and Grammy Award winner Laura Pausini are set to perform in Milan’s historic San Siro stadium which will house the ceremony.
A group of hooded protesters reportedly clashed with police Saturday, lobbing fireworks during a demonstration in Milan hours after the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
A group of hooded protesters reportedly clashed with police in Milan on Saturday after the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. REUTERS
Local police pushed the rowdy crowd back with water cannons in an effort to disperse more than 100 agitators, who had taken aim at police trying to maintain order as thousands attended the Olympic events. AFP via Getty Images
Local police pushed the rowdy crowd back with water cannons in an effort to disperse more than 100 agitators, who had taken aim at police trying to maintain order as thousands attended the Olympic events.
The chaos came just hours after the Italian city hosted the opening ceremonies, on a day when high-stakes skiing and other events were already underway.
Both Olympic cauldrons were lit at the same time during the closure of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday.
Italy's Alberto Tomba (L) holds the Olympic torch under the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games next to the Arco della Pace monument in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
General view of fireworks as the Olympic cauldron under the Arco della Pace in Milan is lit by Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni. REUTERS
Both Olympic cauldrons were lit at the same time. AFP via Getty Images
The NBC broadcast noted that the design of the cauldron was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci because of the interlocking patterns that are found in many of his works.
Upon being lit, fireworks exploded in the night sky in Milan, dictating that the games are officially underway.
Vice President JD Vance was met with jeers by spectators during the Olympics Games’ opening ceremony in Italy Friday.
The Veep was sitting next to his wife Usha Vance when the pair were shown on the Jumbotron, leading to a chorus of boos, according to footage of the event.
US second lady Usha Vance and US Vice President JD Vance attend the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
But the US athletes, decked out in red, white and blue and waving American flags were cheered by the crowd as they walked into Milan’s famous San Siro soccer stadium.
The frosty reception for Vance comes after the head of the International Olympic Committee warned attendees to treat the American athletes and US dignitaries with respect when they are introduced at the start of the international event.
Taufatofua, who has represented Tonga for taekwondo and cross-country skiing, was one of the bearers of the Olympic flag on Friday.
Flagbearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua (TGA) of Tonga leads his contingent during the athletes' parade at the opening ceremony. REUTERS
The 42-year-old went viral during the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang for showing up as his country's flag bearer with no shirt on despite the freezing weather.
South African actor Charlize Theron cited her fellow countryman Nelson Mandela in a call for peace during the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday.
UN Peace Ambassador and South-African actress Charlize Theron delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
“Peace is not just the absence of conflict, peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish,” Theron said. “Regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference. Today, this message seems more relevant than ever, so let these games be more than just sport.
“Let them be a reminder of our common humanity, our respect for one another, and a resounding call for peace everywhere."
Famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli had a dashing performance during the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday.
Singer Andrea Bocelli performs during the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. AP
Italian tenor singer Andrea Bocelli performs during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
Bocelli sung the song "Nessun dorma," which is an aria from Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot.
The performance coincided with the final relay of the passing of the Olympic torch, and it was met with a loud applause from the crowd in Milan.
The supermodel wore a white, floor-length Armani gown with a high neckline while holding the Italian flag at Milan’s San Siro Stadium.
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti carries the folded Italian flag during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on February 6, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
Vittoria Ceretti, flagbearer for Milano, hands the Italian flag to the Corazzieri during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Getty Images
Ceretti kept her hair slicked back in a low bun as she walked down the runway behind several other models wearing suits matching the Italian flag’s color scheme.
“Representing the new generation of fashion, internationally renowned model Vittoria Ceretti. Her relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio became public back in ’23,” the announcer narrated.
The United States made a booming presence upon their introduction at the 2026 Winter Olympic opening ceremonies on Friday.
Team USA was met with a roar of cheers when they were introduced.
General view as flag bearer Erin Jackson of United States leads her contingent. REUTERS
Speed skater Erin Jackson was seen at the front as the flag bearer for team US in the opening ceremony.
“Incredible team this year, incredible team,” Shaun White said on the NBC broadcast.
The US brought 232 athletes for this year's games, which is largest they have ever brought to a Winter Olympics.
The United States delegation during the Opening Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were seen standing and clapping with American flags on the broadcast as well.
Team USA was presented third-to-last in the opening ceremonies — ahead of France and Italy — because they are hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NBC broadcast acknowledges Savannah Guthrie's absence: 'Missed by everybody'
The NBC broadcast team at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies acknowledged fellow host Savannah Guthrie's absence amid the search for her missing mother.
“We’re certainly without a very important and beloved member of our team tonight,” host Terry Gannon said of Guthrie. “She is dearly missed by everybody.”
NBC broadcasters Shaun White, Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo. NBC
Guthrie was originally expected to be a part of NBC's opening ceremony coverage in Milan before dropping out last week after the disappearance of her mother, Nancy, in Arizona.
Mary Carillo wound up taking Guthrie's place for the event, and she offered her condolences to the longtime NBC correspondent.
“She’s covered so many Olympics, and she loves it,” Carillo said. “Right now, of course, Savannah and her family are in unspeakable, unfathomable pain. We know that in the U.S., her extended family is legion. Savannah, my friend, it’s the same way here.”
Guthrie was originally expected to be a part of NBC's opening ceremony coverage in Milan before dropping out last week after the disappearance of her mother, Nancy, in Arizona. savannahguthrie/Instagram
During an interview on “Today” Friday morning, Pima County, Arizona sheriff Chris Nanos said that his team remains optimistic that Nancy will be found alive.
“You have to have hope,” Nanos said. “You have to have hope. Come on, this is somebody’s mom. We’re gonna find her.”
Legendary Olympic snowboarder Shaun White — who is commentating the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on NBC — said that he hopes United States skier Lindsey Vonn will be able to recover for this year's games.
“She’s a legend in her sport, and she has nothing to prove,” White said on the broadcast. “But I just love the fact that she’s bringing that intensity to potentially her last Olympics.”
NBC broadcaster Shaun White is pictured during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. NBC
White added that he believes if there's anyone who can make such a quick comeback to competition, Vonn would be the one to do it.
“You feel for her,” he added. “She’s had trouble with her knees before. She’s had surgeries to correct those injuries, and boom, another injury to the knee. But if anyone can do it, I feel that Lindsey can.”
White was teammates with Vonn on the U.S. team for the 2006, 2010 and 2018 Winter Olympic games.
USA's Lindsey Vonn reacts after taking part in the second official training for the women's downhill event ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. AFP via Getty Images
Just one week after Vonn ruptured her ACL during a World cup race in Switzerland, the 2010 Olympic gold medalist is already back and completing training runs on Friday.
From Usher to Donatella Versace, all the biggest celebrities flocked to Milan to cheer on their favorite athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. Scroll through to see all the best moments from the events.
Vittoria Ceretti, Italian model and girlfriend of famed American actor Leonardo DiCaprio, was the flag bearer for Milano at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Vittoria Ceretti, flagbearer for Milano, hands the Italian flag to the Corazzieri during the opening ceremony Getty Images
Ceretti, 27, handed over the Italian flag to the Corazzieri honor guard during Friday's ceremony before the Olympic athletes of each participating country were introduced.
