An unexpected ticket to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony at San Siro stadium delivered a spectacular 3.5-hour celebration featuring stars like Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and Charlize Theron, creating genuinely moving moments that blended global appeal with authentic Italian warmth while marking the likely end of an era for the iconic venue.

Living in Milan, I couldn’t miss the chance to experience my first Olympics on home soil. I chose women’s hockey for the atmosphere—and it delivered: respect, excitement, and an unforgettable 4–1 Italian victory, despite some logistical flaws along the way.