How the Olympics Opening 2026 Ceremony in Italy Made Herstory

Other musical icons were also honored at the Opening Ceremony, including Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini. During a dance number, three performers donned oversized heads of the late composers as a tribute to Italy’s music scene.

As for the Parade of Nations? As tradition, athletes representing Greece—the birthplace of the Olympics—led the pack into the stadium. The countries then proceeded into the stadium in alphabetical order in accordance to their names in Italian.

United States and France rounded out the parade as the respective succeeding and preceding hosts of the Games, with athletes from Italy entering the stadium last as representatives of the hosting country.

To see all the highlights from the Opening Ceremony, keep reading…