The opening ceremony marked a departure from previous Olympics, with festivities split across Milan, Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina in what organizers called a celebration of northern Italy's alpine heritage.

Mariah Carey delivered what organizers described as performances that "perfectly embody the emotional spirit of the Games," singing in both Italian and English. However, social media quickly filled with accusations that the singer may have lip-synced portions of her performance, though no official statement has addressed the claims.

Andrea Bocelli, the Italian tenor and one of the world's most successful singers, also performed, alongside a cast that included an actress known for roles in "The White Lotus" and "The Paper."

The ceremonies were overshadowed by scattered protests in Milan, where students and activists rallied against ICE agents accompanying the US delegation. Protesters demanded the immigration enforcement officers leave, connecting their demonstration to broader international outrage over the Trump administration's deportation policies.

Notably absent from the Milan games was the heavy fashion industry involvement that characterized the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where LVMH served as a headline sponsor and helped design medals and athlete apparel. The late Giorgio Armani's influence could be felt hovering over the Games, according to observers, but no major fashion house took a leading sponsorship role.

As athletes from around the world prepared to compete across skiing, skating, and other winter disciplines, the question of who would light the Olympic cauldrons remained a closely guarded secret until the ceremony's climax.