Verona’s Roman Arena Set for 2026 Winter Games Closing Ceremony on Feb. 22

Updated 2026-02-19 13:33:07+00:00 (7 articles)

Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Volunteers stand close to the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Volunteers stand close to the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Volunteers stand close to the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Dressmaker Luciana Donadio works in a dressing room outside the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

A view of the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Dressmaker Luciana Donadio works in a dressing room outside the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

A view of the Arena ahead of the closing ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) (Credit: AP) Source Full size

Verona Chosen Over Cortina for Intimate, Central Closing Event Organizers selected the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater built in A.D. 1, to host the closing ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22, citing its historic setting and central location compared with remote Cortina d’Ampezzo [1][2]. The venue will accommodate roughly 12,000 spectators, far fewer than the 60,000 who attended the opening ceremony in Milan [1][2]. Maria Laura Iascone, head of ceremonies, emphasized that only Italians can appropriately use such monuments for the Games [1][2].

Water‑Drop Stage Highlights Climate‑Change Narrative The ceremony’s set features a single drop of water, linking the mountain venues with the Po River Valley and underscoring the Games’ evolving climate‑change challenges [1][2]. Designers intend the motif to remind viewers of environmental pressures on winter sports [1][2]. The visual theme will be reinforced by a light‑show replacement for fireworks, protecting local wildlife during the flame‑extinguishing video link [1][2].

Italian Flag Bearers Named, Handover to France Noted Biathlon champion Lisa Vittozzi and speed‑skating gold‑medalist Davide Ghiotti will carry Italy’s flag during the ceremony [1][2]. King5 adds that after the Italian flag‑bearing, the Olympic flag will be passed to France, whose flag will be raised alongside Italy’s [2]. WBNS does not mention the handover, focusing solely on the Italian flag bearers [1].

Roberto Bolle Leads “Beauty in Motion” Rehearsals with Volunteers Acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle has been rehearsing the “Beauty in Motion” program inside the arena with roughly 350 volunteers [1][2]. Producer Alfredo Accatino frames the show as a tribute to dynamic beauty [1]. King5 highlights additional headliners Achille Lauro and DJ Gabry Ponte slated to perform, details absent from the WBNS report [2].

Accessibility Upgrades and Video‑Linked Flame Extinguishing Prepared The arena has been retrofitted with wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, and other safety improvements ahead of the Paralympic opening on March 6 [1][2]. The Olympic flame will be extinguished in Milan and Cortina via a video link, with a light show substituting fireworks to safeguard wildlife [1][2]. These upgrades aim to ensure inclusive access for athletes and spectators alike [1][2].

Sources

Timeline

1956 – Cortina d’Ampezzo hosts the Winter Games, establishing a historic Alpine venue that will again feature in the 2026 program, linking past and future Olympic heritage [4].

1960 – Giancarlo Peris, then 18, lights the Olympic cauldron in Rome, a legacy moment recalled as the torch‑relay kickoff honors former torchbearers [3].

Dec 1, 2025 – The Olympic flame is ignited in Greece and shipped to Italy, marking the start of a 63‑day, 7,400‑mile relay that will traverse over 60 cities and involve roughly 10,000 bearers [7].

Dec 6, 2025 – The flame arrives in Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi, where swimming champion Gregorio Paltrinieri receives it and begins the Italian leg; former torchbearer Giancarlo Peris hands over a lantern, echoing his 1960 role [3][7].

Dec 6–Jan 2026 – The relay proceeds through major stops including Naples, Bari, Verona and Cortina, while police thwart two pro‑Palestinian protest groups from reaching the route [3].

Jan 20, 2026 – Designer Marco Balich unveils twin Olympic cauldrons made of aeronautical aluminum, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s knots and engineered to expand from 10 ft to 15 ft, slated for simultaneous lighting at Milan’s Arco della Pace and Cortina’s Piazza Dibona [2][6].

Feb 6, 2026 – The Opening Ceremony in Milan lights both cauldrons at the same moment, concluding the 63‑day relay and igniting the Olympic flame for the Winter Games [2][6].

Feb 6, 2026 – Maria Laura Iascone states the relay “creates passion for the Games” and unites Italy in celebration of its Olympic heritage [7].

Feb 19, 2026 – Verona’s Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater built in AD 1, hosts the Closing Ceremony; about 1,500 athletes and 12,000 spectators celebrate amid Italian music, dance and a water‑drop stage symbolising climate‑change concerns [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – Roberto Bolle leads “Beauty in Motion” rehearsals with 350 volunteers, while headliners Achille Lauro and DJ Gabry Ponte prepare to perform [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – Maria Laura Iascone explains Verona was chosen over remote Cortina for its central location and intimate setting, noting “only Italians can use such monuments” and expecting a smaller audience than the opening’s 60,000 [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – Gold‑medalists Lisa Vittozzi (biathlon) and Davide Ghiotti (speed skating) bear Italy’s flag, after which the Olympic flag is handed to France for the next Games [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – The Olympic flame is extinguished via a video link and replaced by a light‑show instead of fireworks to protect wildlife; the arena receives wheelchair ramps and accessible facilities ahead of the Paralympic opening [1].

Mar 6, 2026 – The Paralympic Winter Games open in Milan, with the Olympic flame relit for the first time since the Closing Ceremony [1].

Mar 15, 2026 – The Paralympic Closing Ceremony concludes, marking the final extinguishing of the flame after a month‑long celebration [1].