Verona will host the final act of the Games inside the ancient Roman Arena, where about 1,500 athletes will celebrate their feats.
MILAN, Italy — After 17 days of thrilling winter sports, the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics are coming to an end.
During the Closing Ceremony, which takes place Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Verona Olympic Arena, two cauldrons will be put out at the same time in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
A city forever associated with Romeo and Juliet, Verona will host the final act of the Games inside the ancient Roman Arena, where about 1,500 athletes will celebrate their feats against a backdrop of Italian music and dance.
Acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle has been rehearsing for the Closing Ceremony inside the Arena di Verona this week under a veil of secrecy, along with about 350 volunteers, for a spectacle titled “Beauty in Motion,” which frames beauty as something inherently dynamic.
One key moment during the ceremony is when the Olympic flag is handed over to the next Winter Games host nation, France. The French flag will then be raised next to Italy’s.
A light show will also be featured in place of fireworks, which are not allowed in Verona to protect animals from being disturbed.
The Verona Arena will also be the venue for the Paralympic opening ceremony March 6. For the ceremonies, the ancient Arena has been retrofitted with wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms, along with other safety upgrades. Six Paralympic events will be held in Milan and Cortina until March 15.
How to watch the Olympics Closing Ceremony
The 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony will take place Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET. It can be watched live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The event is scheduled to run until 5 p.m. ET, but the Opening Ceremony to start the games ran more than an hour longer than anticipated.
The ceremony will rebroadcast during primetime at 9 p.m. ET on both NBC and Peacock.