when is the winter olympics closing ceremony
The 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, 22 February 2026, at the Verona Arena in Verona, Italy.
Quick Scoop: Key Details
- Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026.
- Time (local): Scheduled for 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) Central European Time in Verona.
- Notable U.S. TV timing: Coverage is listed to begin around 2:30 p.m. ET, with a prime-time replay at 9 p.m. ET.
- Venue: The historic Verona Arena (also called Verona Olympic Arena for the Games), a Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy.
- Ceremony title/theme: “Beauty in Action,” highlighting Italian culture, art, and innovation.
Latest News & What To Expect
- The ceremony will close out 17 days of competition at Milano Cortina 2026, officially marking the end of the Winter Games on 22 February.
- Performances will blend protocol (flag handover, speeches, extinguishing the cauldrons) with cultural segments celebrating Italy’s identity.
- Renowned ballet dancer Roberto Bolle is confirmed as a headlining performer, working with artistic director Alfredo Accatino.
- In a unique twist, two Olympic cauldrons (Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo) will be extinguished to symbolize the end of these multi-city Games.
Forum-Style Talking Points
If people on forums are asking “when is the Winter Olympics closing ceremony” or chatting about it, they’re usually debating:
- Time zone confusion
- Evening in Italy (20:00 CET) versus afternoon/prime time in North America (2:30 p.m. ET live, 9 p.m. ET replay).
- Where it’s being held
- The use of a Roman amphitheater instead of a modern stadium is a big talking point; many expect visually dramatic staging thanks to the ancient stone setting.
- Handing over to the next hosts
- The Olympic flag will be passed from Milan–Cortina’s mayors to IOC president Kirsty Coventry, then to the mayor of Nice, France, representing the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
“So yes, if you’re just trying to plan your viewing: circle 22 February 2026 and check your local listings for the live broadcast and the prime- time replay.”
TL;DR
- The Winter Olympics closing ceremony is on 22 February 2026.
- It starts at 20:00 CET in Verona’s ancient arena, with U.S. coverage around 2:30 p.m. ET live and 9 p.m. ET prime time.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.