The 2026 Winter Olympics’ operatic closing ceremony in photos

The Arena di Verona, or the Verona Arena, is among the best preserved historical monuments of all time. Built in 30 AD, it far predates the construction of the arguably more iconic Roman Colosseum. It will also serve as the site for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

The entire 2026 closing ceremony takes on an operatic tone, kicking off things with a chaotic look behind the creation and staging of an opera. Leading it all, our court jester, Rigoletto, who will helm the proceedings for audiences.

Hockey captain Hilary Knight and ice dancer Evan Bates, both of whom are walking away with gold this year, are the flag bearers for Team U.S.A. The country walks away in second place after the Games with 33 total medals (including 12 golds), behind Norway’s 41 medals (and 18 golds).

The symbolic flame has entered the arena, marking the closing of the Games and a passing of the torch (figuratively and literally) to the next host, the French Alps, in 2030.

After the parade of nations, the ceremony proceeded with a futuristic dance that represented the effort and training put in by athletes at the Games, before kicking off a few closing podium and medal ceremonies.

The musical segments of the closing ceremony continued with DJ Gabry Ponte breaking out Eiffel 65’s iconic “Blue (Da Ba Dee),” and then a Madame Butterfly-inspired tribute to fallen athletes. Following a gorgeous aerial ballet routine to represent the water cycle, Italian singer-songwriter Joan Thiele took to the stage with her own cadre of ballet dancers for a smoky finish to the segment.

The Italian Amy Guard of Honor walk with the Olympic flag after is lowered and then handed to the delegate for the next host for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, the French Alps, honored then by the French national anthem “La Marseillaise.”