When you think of an Olympic closing ceremony, you probably picture fireworks bursting over a massive stadium while athletes march around in a chaotic celebration, right?
But the finale for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is on a whole different level.
First off, it won’t be held in Milan. It’s at the Arena di Verona in the ancient city of Verona, about an hour and a half by train from Milan.
This is the genuine article: an ancient Roman amphitheater built in the 1st century AD (around 30 AD).
It’s the very stage where gladiators once fought to the death, where wild beast hunts took place, and where crowds went wild for blood. This “stage of hell” will, after 2000 years, become the place to close the curtain on the Festival of Peace.
The closing ceremony was ‘Ancient Ruins,’ but the opening ceremony was an Armani fashion show. The contrast between Italy’s past and present is simply incredible.
Older than the Colosseum, the world’s most beautiful “ruins”
When you think of Italy, Rome’s Colosseum comes to mind, but the Arena di Verona is actually said to be older. Moreover, its state of preservation is among the best in the world.
While part of the outer wall collapsed in a medieval earthquake, the terraced seating remains almost completely intact. It is still actively used today as one of the world’s largest outdoor opera venues.
Closing Ceremony Theme: “Beauty in Action”
The closing ceremony production appears to treat this ancient site not merely as a backdrop, but as the main attraction.
Stage Design: “A Drop of Water”
In the center of the rugged stone arena, a massive stage resembling a “drop of water,” composed of mirrors or LEDs, appears.
It expresses the cycle of winter snow melting into water and returning to the sea, creating a fantastical scene through the contrast between ancient stone and cutting-edge digital technology.
Simultaneous extinguishing of the sacred flame
Verona does not have a main torch.
Therefore, a “silent performance” blending digital and real elements is planned: the LED displays and lighting above the Arena will quietly go dark, perfectly synchronized with the moment the torches in Milan and Cortina are extinguished.
The City of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Carnival”
Verona’s charm extends beyond the Arena.
It’s also known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and Juliet’s House (with its balcony) is within walking distance of the Arena.
Furthermore, the 2026 Olympics will be a special season for Verona.
- Verona in Love
An event held around Valentine’s Day where the entire city is filled with hearts. - Venerdì Gnocolar
One of Italy’s oldest carnivals, with over 490 years of history. Known as “Gnocchi Friday,” it features a costume parade winding through the streets.
Tourists visiting for the Olympic Closing Ceremony will be swept up not only in the excitement of sports but also in this medieval celebration of love and food.
What changes and what remains unchanged over two millennia?
Ancient Romans sitting in these seats in the 1st century cheered at the blood flowing before their eyes.
Two thousand years later, we sit on the same stone seats, applauding athletes gathered from around the world and watching the flame of peace fade.
The place remains the same, yet the spectacle before us has changed.
The closing ceremony at the Arena di Verona asks how much humanity has changed—or remained unchanged—over two millennia.
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