Internationally renowned ballet star Roberto Bolle has been confirmed as the headline performer for the closing ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The event, titled “Beauty in Motion,” will take place on February 22 in Verona’s ancient Roman amphitheater, the Arena, one of the world’s oldest and most iconic venues. The ceremony will honor Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Arena’s legacy as the stage for a celebrated summer opera festival. It will also celebrate athletic achievements and highlight the urgent issue of climate change, according to Alfredo Accatino, the artistic director for the closing ceremony. Accatino emphasized the symbolic significance of the central stage, shaped like a waterdrop, which will connect the mountain venues with the fertile Po River Valley and the Venetian lagoon. Bolle, who previously performed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, is a familiar figure at the Arena, where he hosts his annual “Roberto Bolle and Friends” gala. The 2026 Winter Games, scheduled from February 6 to 22, will mark the first time two cities—Milan and Cortina—officially co-host the event. The opening and closing ceremonies will also be held in separate locations: Milan and Verona, respectively. Verona, a picturesque city with cobblestone streets and pre-Alpine landscapes, has generated significant excitement among Olympic delegations. Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milan Cortina Foundation, described the choice of Verona as a unique opportunity to showcase the city’s charm. Mayor Damiano Tommasi noted that Verona’s central location among Olympic venues makes it a convenient base for visitors. The city is approximately an hour and 15 minutes by train from Milan and three hours by car from Bormio and Cortina. Organizers are finalizing ticket details, with the Arena’s capacity expected to be lower than its usual 15,000 seats due to stage expansions and reserved seating for athletes and delegations.
Ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Verona
