Balich Orchestrates a Global, Four-Venue Opening Ceremony Focused on Peace

Veteran producer Marco Balich outlines a four-location plan for the 2026 Winter Games opening (Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, Predazzo), with synchronized flag-handover and cauldron lighting across sites. The ceremony will be in three acts—Italy, athletes, and peace—and aims to reach up to 2.2 billion viewers with a clear, universally understandable message delivered through spectacular visuals. About 1,200 volunteers are rehearsing, and Balich stresses the importance of a global, accessible concept; he also hints at a potential Venice mayoral bid in the future.